simple pleasures

I really love the physical aspect of taking care of children. I love bathing them, helping them dress, fixing their hair. There is something very gratifying in helping a tiny arm through a shirt sleeve, and in the way they lean into you when you help pull on pants.

I like it that my own physical self can be a comfort to them when they are injured or sad. Sometimes when I am busy doing something else, Ysa will want me to pick her up, and I can and do, carrying her around while I make dinner or pick up scattered toys. It makes me feel content to wipe a snotty nose clean, bandage a cut, or make a chocolate mustache disappear.

It's fun for me to pick out their clothes (when they let me). Kissing their cheeks and foreheads is heavenly. Ysa loves to snuggle in an armpit when we lie down at night to read books before bed. Garnet loves to have her back rubbed.

I know I'll miss it all when they are too big to let me help anymore.