Fundamental

Tonight when I was taking my sad little pony tail out of my too-lazy-to-make-it-nice hair I noticed I had a little blue barrett with a cat playing a fiddle stuck in there.  Carly came by and put it in earlier today, while I was watching the Superbowl.  Super Bowl?  Meh.

It got me thinking about all the little things my kids do to show their love for me.  Things like:

Letting me hold their coats every time we go anywhere.

Similarly books.

And toys.

Sometimes shoes.

Occasionally Joshua will bring me a treat, with another hidden behind his back, and offer it so sweetly with a smile.  I have come to understand this means HE wants a treat and I usually say "You have it" after which he skips merrily on his way.  Sometimes I foil him and take the treat, which is why he has one hidden behind his back I think.

A few times a week Carly comes crashing into my room in the middle of the night.  Crying usually.  She tends to smack right into the door and then wiggle the handle, all while bemoaning the terrible-ness of life and nighttime and darkness.  Then she scrambles onto my bed, squeezing between Eric and I with maximum kicking, and continues to cry.  When I ask what is wrong, she cries louder and snuggles in closer and then falls asleep.  Ahh love.

Most days Joshua skims right past me when he gets home from school, scooting into his dad's office to present his report for the day.  "It was fine.  Can I watch TV?" to which Eric usually says yes because he is busy.  And then Josh comes frolicking out to tell me the day was fine and dad says he can watch TV.  Nothing shows affection like a pre-emptive usurp.

I've decided that the mumbling Josh does when he feels put-out is actually kind, loving words that he is too embarrassed to share.  The pouty face and wrinkled brow are just a feeble attempt to throw me off the trail.

And those times when Carly absolutely won't listen to a word I've said (like every moment of the day), that is just her way of saying "Mom, you've taught me so well I don't need instructions anymore."  Instead of getting mad, I'm just going to pat myself on the back and go on with my life.

In all honesty, my children are very sweet and cuddly.  They show me they love me in many ways, especially after I've taken them to McDonald's or let them have soda-pop with dinner.

Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.  -- Antoine De Saint-Exupery