mother's love

there's really nothing quite like a mother's love. i've realized how true that is this week as i've been doing my best to look after my two precious ones, margaret and ryan. they have both been sick with nasty colds.

at times is has been downright overwhelming. other times it has been heartbreaking -- every inch of me just wants to step into their suffering. When ever i wondered how an earth i was going to manage the next snotty nosed rub on my shoulder or milky cough into my face i somehow managed to let it all go and see the humor and beauty of it all.

for example, yesterday i was nursing ryan in the glider. he was clearly uncomfortable and feeling the symptoms of his cold and just began to doze off in my arms. phew i thought to myself.

the next thing i knew, maggie had decided it would be a good idea to harass the cats. usually she is very good with the cats but things looked like they were about to get out of hand so i gave her a verbal warning to stop as quietly, but assertively, as i could as not to wake ryan. maggie, just as assertively, responded with, "don't say that to me. don't say that to me!" and then the tears began.

ryan squirmed in my arms and broke into a shrill while maggie came and stood right next to me. as maggie stood, her eyes filled with salty tears where she again said, "don't say that to me!" -- her face rash like from the dry snot she had smeared over her face and two fresh green wet muccas bubbles popping out from her nostrils i considered just how much i loved her and ryan.

the whole look and expression made me smile. to me, maggie looked beautiful. tearful and snotty, but still beautiful. ryan squirming in my arms at a hefty 17 lbs still oozed with squimy goodness that made me just want to nuzzle nose to nose with him.

yes. there's nothing like a mother's love.