A minute ago, as I sat here at the table assessing what needed to be tackled next, a certain little sprite of a girl sidled over and coyly asked, "I hab gum, Mama? No, wight?" I told her that she could, in fact, have gum. She melts my heart in ways I never could have imagined and I often find it nigh onto impossible to tell the girl no. About anything. So especially when the matter is trivial, I say yes.
The joy on her face was bright and undeniable. She started over toward the fridge (upon the top of which one would find the gum supply). I beckoned her back silently with my index finger curling toward me. When she realized I hadn't followed her, she turned back, saw me asking her to come on back, and she did. And then I was going to scoop up that happy little sprite of mine and give her a hug and marvel in the beauty of the love I feel for her. Instead, I accidentally thunked her in the head.
No matter - she was unhurt and still keen to be lifted into my arms and be snuggled. "I buy more kuh!(hug)" she gleefully said, and then gave me one to prove it. A kiss on the cheek followed. Often this is the "toll" I charge for doing something the kids ask. I looked at her - deeply - as only a mama can do - and I said, "Mei, I love you SO much." It wasn't an exclamation (this time). It was a soft, straight from the heart declaration. She turned her head toward me and said, "I wuh ju, too, so muh, Mama." And she didn't exclaim it, either (this time). And knowing that she really does love me...that she knows what love really is...that she is really learning that I AM her Mama...well I'd like to just keep that little moment forever. I am so very, very blessed.
