love

This morning I was listening to a radio talk show I never listen to, as I normally can't stand the pedantic ramblings of mostly incoherent hosts and the mind-numbing relation of hip-hop hollywood gossip, but as I switched through, attempting to find music, the question was asked of one of the hosts 'What's the best part of being a mother?'

In the split second before the female host responded my answer came to me - LOVE. Not my love for them; rather their love for me. Half a second later, the host responded the same. That unconditional love our children have for us is the best natural high imaginable.

Right now it is expressed with high-pitched shrieks, big smiles, bubbles, and cessation of crying. Soon enough there will be two little voices saying 'I love you' in sweet voices. And there will be hugs, and sticky kisses and chubby-armed hugs. That will be followed by reluctant hugs and kisses, which will be followed by occasional hugs and kisses, but more frequent eye rolls and shrugs, and then big hugs and kisses as they once again realize the importance of Moms in their world.

And I look forward to each stage with relish. The thoughts of all those stages excite me. Love. A four-letter word of the most-wonderful kind.

L-O-V-E.

This poem always made me giggle when I was younger; it's by the estimable Shel Silverstein:

L-O-V-E

Ricky was "L" but he's home with the flu,
Lizzie, our "O," had some homework to do,
Mitchell, "E" prob'ly got lost on the way,
So I'm all of love that could make it today.