With her grubby feet she climbs onto the bed next to me. I've finally snuck away and am comfortably reclining with a snack and my latest novel. She knows her head fits perfectly in the space between my shoulder and neck. Then she throws one skinny, cut-off jean clad leg over mine, and settles in.
I say, "This is heaven," and mean it. Ari's little maneuver never seems intrusive. Her soft assuming, "Can I lie down with you?" is a pleasure to hear. Her silky, grass-scented hair feels so nice on my cheek as we snuggle. If she happens to come in just to ask a question and doesn't want to stay, I'm disappointed. A new sensation that came only with this 8th child.
She's the baby -- seven, but still. Is that why I don't care? Or is it that she's just so accommodating and agreeable, or just that she knows how to hold still?
It's finally hitting me that the kids do grow up and move on. For years I guarded my few personal moments. It was rare that I could even use the bathroom without company, so when I had a brief moment alone the first child who dared intrude was in trouble, let alone the 5th. Now I have lots of alone time. I still cherish it but I also realize that interuptions are temporary. At this stage in my life I can actually enjoy my little Ari's company. I'm not worried that the baby and toddler are into something or being woken up. I'm not sleep deprived or pregnant or nursing.
On the other hand, Ari is a little bit of heaven. Maybe she would have been welcome anytime.
I say, "This is heaven," and mean it. Ari's little maneuver never seems intrusive. Her soft assuming, "Can I lie down with you?" is a pleasure to hear. Her silky, grass-scented hair feels so nice on my cheek as we snuggle. If she happens to come in just to ask a question and doesn't want to stay, I'm disappointed. A new sensation that came only with this 8th child.
She's the baby -- seven, but still. Is that why I don't care? Or is it that she's just so accommodating and agreeable, or just that she knows how to hold still?
It's finally hitting me that the kids do grow up and move on. For years I guarded my few personal moments. It was rare that I could even use the bathroom without company, so when I had a brief moment alone the first child who dared intrude was in trouble, let alone the 5th. Now I have lots of alone time. I still cherish it but I also realize that interuptions are temporary. At this stage in my life I can actually enjoy my little Ari's company. I'm not worried that the baby and toddler are into something or being woken up. I'm not sleep deprived or pregnant or nursing.
On the other hand, Ari is a little bit of heaven. Maybe she would have been welcome anytime.
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