"...clear. crystal clear."

Yesterday afternoon I was putting Em down for a nap. Erikboy and Squísh were eating yogurt at the table. I could hear Squísh goofing around. (She adores Erik, and will do almost anything to get a laugh out of him.) Apparently she was twirling (I heard about it after the fact.) but her twirling got a little too intense - she fell against the cupboards and landed on the floor.

I could tell she was hurt from her cry. I braced myself for the inevitable wail, and crossed my fingers Em would sleep through it...

...But before it could happen, I heard Erikboy ask if she was okay. I heard him ask as sweet as he could (in that deep voice of his) about her bump, and then I heard him pull a tried and true trick that almost always guarantees a laugh. And it worked.

At first, I admit, I couldn't believe my good fortune. (Em was grumpy - both she and I needed her nap). But almost simultaneously I felt such a grand sense of pride for these pirates... I could have smooched both sets of those lovely cheeks. This whole mothering gig can seem impossible. And definitely underestimated. But moments like this come along - and everything becomes clear. I do what I do - so that he will do what he did.

Because even though there are careers, and boats, and vacations, and cars, and travels, and delicious foods, and all sorts of amazing experiences to have: I believe we came here to help.

And most of the time it's somewhere off the map. (For example: my kitchen.) And almost always it will be when no one is watching. And more than likely, we'll get exactly zero percent recognition for our efforts. But WHAM-BAM... we'll be better for it.

When I came downstairs Erik had just finished serving them both another bowl of yogurt.

I am raising awesome humans.