The Candle Maker

Today, my friend brought me a priceless gift. It is breathtaking.

For Mother’s Day a few years ago, Chandler posted a message about me on Instagram. I never saw it because I wasn’t on Instagram at the time. I think he overestimated my social media savvy. When Chandler was in the hospital, someone showed it to me. My response was exactly what you would imagine. Here’s what he posted on instachan1993:

One of the most vivid memories I will ever have is of Mom holding my tiny hand while I sat shotgun for the first time. It was during the last couple of years I was still at home with her and not off to kindergarten. Dad was working and the brothers were at school. In those, days, every step I took — every breath I took was by her side. Part of me is still stuck in that 5-year-old body whose eyes could barely see over the dashboard. Before I knew what it meant to consummate a marriage, I truly believed I would grow up to marry my mom. Almost every single day I told her I would. I’m pretty sure I even proposed to her with a few Ring Pops on occasion. You know that song “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw? Anytime that song came on, Mom would change the lyrics: “I don’t know what it is about my Chan Man’s lovin’/but I like it/I love it/I want some more of it” When everyone has come and gone, she will still be there to make me feel like I’m the best guy on the planet. #HappyMothersDay #NoYouCannotDateMyMom May 10, 2015

As my friend presented me with this beautiful lantern, complete with Ring Pops, she explained that Chandler, the “candle-maker”, is illuminating his words to me.

Thank you, Daisha, for once again knowing exactly what this mom’s heart needed.