For Love

"A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back."-Arthur Miller

Yesterday we met my husband for lunch downtown, and as Maeve played peekaboo with me from the top of a flight of stairs, I had a realization.  Maeve loves me so fiercely, so intensely, and I have never felt love from someone like that.

I know my parents and husband love me just as fiercely, but Maeve expresses so vividly that it feels totally new to me.  Whether I have just come home after being away a few hours, or overnight, or a few seconds during peekaboo, her face lights up like Christmas and breaks into a grin of pure joy.  She giggles, and runs towards me with her hands up, eagerly anticipating being swept up into a Momma hug.

I would say that I didn’t do anything to deserve that kind of love, but I sort of did.  She doesn’t realize how much sleep, comfort, and personal freedom I’ve given up for her sake, but she has received my mostly-undivided attention, illimitable cookies, and a wealth of snuggles, hugs, smooches, and diaper changes that are as patient and loving as I can muster.  

So I did kind of earn it, but her love overwhelms me nonetheless.  She has a new game that consists of getting a running start to jump headlong into my arms for a huge cuddle.  Needless to say, I freakin’ love it.