Shel Silverstein

Dear Big Kid,

I remember when you were a baby and I would press my face into your chubby little neck, breathe in your sweet baby smell and think, "I better never forget this exact moment right here," because I loved you so intensely that I was certain it wasn't possible to feel more love than I did in that second.

But 8 years of loving you has proved me wrong. I loved you so much then but just like your little self, that love has grown over the years--bit by bit, imperceptible on a daily basis, and then during a random moment I'm flooded with the reality of how big you are or of how I love you so much that it physically hurts my heart sometimes.

So I hug you and bury my face into your neck and breathe in your little boy smell and think, "I better never forget this exact moment right here," even though experience tells me that my love for you will continue to grow as you do; a thrilling, impossible thought that fills me with hope and happiness and terrifies me all at the same time.

Thank you for bringing such joy and love to our lives. Happy Birthday to you (and happy day to me for having you and knowing you.)

I like you, I love you and I'll always protect you.

(And I hope you will always let me hug you and sniff you.)

Forever,
Mom

Beautiful

I woke up this morning to little kid stroking my face and staring at me.

"You're such a beautiful little princess," he said. (I wake up like this several times a week. Yes, it is an awesome way to wake up.)

"Thank you."

"Even with messy hair," he added.

"Well, thanks." I answered.

"Mom, can I take a photo of you before I grow up?"

"Uh...yeah, of course. Why do you ask?"

"'Cuz I never want to forget you."

"You'll never forget your mother, little kid," I assured him, with a kiss.

"Oh. Well can I have a photo anyway?"

"Sure."

"But...not with the messy hair."

Off Broadway

Took the kids to see a production of 42nd Street tonight. They both loved it!

But I hope they didn't catch the gay from all of that tap-dancing.

God-like

There's some commercial on lately for a special narrated by Stephen Hawking and they ask, "Did God create the universe?" or something like that.

"I wonder if God really did create the universe," Big Kid asked after seeing it.

"Of course he did! Who else could create da whole entire universe, bro? God! Duh!" little kid answered, angry at Big Kid's lack of faith.

"Hmmm. I don't know. If God created the universe, why would he make hazards? If I was making a universe, there would be no hazards. If I was God, I wouldn't want my people having to deal with dangerous conditions."

"Well, I would! I'd make lots of hazards if I was God! 'Cuz it'd be more fun to watch! So many dangerous things! God likes hazards." little kid insisted.

If there is a God, why can't he be more like Big Kid?