Morning Kisses

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. "-Khalil Gibran

The sweetest part of my day is carrying my beaming daughter out of her crib and covering her in kisses.

You might think I would be blearily stumbling into her room and grumpily setting her on the floor, frazzled that our day is beginning and I'm still barely awake, but that just isn't the case.  Even when she gets up early or slept badly the night before, I light up when she awakes for the day. 

Part of it is that we are both morning people, and are rejuvenated by the rising sun and birdsong.  I love the promise of the morning.  But most especially, I love seeing her little behind-the-pacifier grin in the morning, knowing she feels like I do.

And also, I miss her at night.  Don't get me wrong, I need that 12 hours to myself, even though I'm asleep for seven or eight of them.  But it's a happy reunion in the morning, and my little companion and I enjoy getting back together and plotting our next move.  My arms feel right again in the morning, holding her squirming, pajama-covered self.  And even though she's wriggling away, I kiss the bejesus out of her just because I can, because I'm happy to have her back. 

Good morning, little darling.  Here comes the sun.

Like this.