Expressing Love Beyond Words: Moments of Sibling Connection

Love is expressed in many ways.

When you have a child with limited verbal abilities, it doesn’t always come out in those three little words either.

A gentle tap on the shoulder.

A glimmer in the eye when you walk into the room.

A little bounce in the step or rocking back and forth with unheard music.

Taking their hand and leading them to a prized possession to share in the joy.

Sharing something precious to them, from a cookie to even their personal space, which is reserved for a select few.

Tonight, it was in the clear, sweet voice saying his younger brother’s name.

“Trissy,” he said as I went to the kitchen to refill my drink.

His younger brother, Tristan, had fallen asleep hours before in his room. The thing is, Xavier is used to going to sleep with his younger brother. Maybe I should rephrase that. He starts the process of the bedtime routine with him, at the very least.

Tonight, on the other hand, by the time he had finished his hair washing ritual, “Trissy” had checked out.

There was something in his voice, though, that gave me pause. So I turned around right away, just in time to see his bottom lip jut out and quiver. Immediately following was a single tear slowly cascading down his adorable chubby cheeks. I immediately consoled him.

He wanted to sleep with his little brother. I then explained to him that he would have to be nice and stay quiet if I was going to let him go in the room with him. If Tristan falls asleep first, I lock his door from the inside so that he isn’t disturbed. I could tell he truly missed him, so I unlocked the door ever so quietly.

Now, he can make quite an entrance at times, but tonight he gently pulled down the sheet next to his brother and sat, looking down at him. Tristan was sound asleep, little snores filling the room. Xavier then cuddled up to him, the sweetest smile brightening his formerly forlorn expression. His shirt explains it best: home at last.

Love is expressed in so many ways.

My favorite ways, though, don’t involve any words.

Written by Nicole Willard of Raven’s Lore