Madeline and I have a fun game we like to play. I lay her in the middle of our bed and slowly start to leave the room. She'll watch intently and sometimes make a squawk or chirp as I get farther away. Then I'll quickly spin around to face her, and her expression shifts from a look of nervous suspense to a broad smile. I rush back to her and she starts to squeal and squirm with delight, often breaking into a full laugh as I swoop down and embrace her and nuzzle her belly.
It can be quite a boost to one's ego when there's someone who is always so smitten by you - someone who beams when they see you and who becomes calm and comforted when held by you (and only you). Someone who is perfectly content just to be with you. It goes beyond the fact that she's dependent upon us - in addition to taking care of her needs, we make her happy.
As I write this, I realize the situation is mutual. Madeline has become the foundation of our lives as well. She makes us happy - being with her makes me forget everything else, and not worry that I am forgetting it. She has become a natural part of our lives, no longer a foreign entity that must be accounted for. Instead of "the two of us" and the baby, it's now "the three of us."
I understand it's all temporary. Eventually she will be embarrassed by everything I do or say. Instead of smiling at the sight of me she will roll her eyes, if she even acknowledges me at all. We'll take that as it comes, but for now I plan to enjoy being the center of someone's universe, no matter how tiny that universe is.
2 comments:
Children - they are blessings. They teach us how to love in a way we have never known. They tug at our hearts as we are their world. They trust us as they are dependent on us. It is our job to love them unconditionally, to let them know that they are valued, to encourage them. Teach them values and how to give back to the community, family and to love and honor God.
Yes, the time will come when the eyes roll, when they don't speak, when you feel you have reached the end of your "rope". The funny thing is your love doesn't change, you still encourage (even to a deaf ear), and they still know they are valued.
I'm glad you are taking each day as it comes, treasure these moments with Madeline and Lacey as time goes by so fast. And even when Madeline turns 22, 23, and 31 you will still have that same love you are feeling now.
I think Nana speaks for all of us--
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