love you to the moon and back (and back, and back).

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to my girls:

i love you when you are messy from a day's worth of play.  when the knees of your pants are black with dirt.  when crumbs and smears of peanut butter are found on your cheeks.  i love you when you are clean and freshly bathed.  when your skin glows from the bath.  when your sweetly scented hair tickles my nose.

i love you when you are sassy and strong willed.  when you want what you want, when you want it.  when you cry and throw fits on the floor.  i love you when you are sweet and your kind, tender hearts show.  when you blow kisses, or comfort a friend.  when you say "i love you".

i love you when you are angelic.  when others tell me how sweet, polite and kind you are.  when you say your pleases and thank yous and make me "proud".  i love you when you have tantrums so loud that i flee public places in a hurry.  when i ignore the stares of others.  when i need to bite my lip to stay patient; and when i lose it from frustration.

i love you when you sweetly pray for the needs of others, and when you quarrel and fight.

i love you when you listen well, and when you don't.

i love you when you eat broccoli at dinner, and when you want cookies all day long.

i love you when you run (or crawl) freely through the grass, and when you sit quietly in rest.

i love you when i first hear your footsteps running down the hall, or morning greetings shrieked from your crib, and when you settle against my chest at dusk in restful quiet.

i love you every minute of every day.  even when i'm angry.  even when i'm impatient.  even when i fail as your mother.  for my love for you is not based on your performance, or how well you listen, or how your behavior makes me look like a good mom to others.  i love you for who you are with every fiber of my being; every single bit of you.  right where you are.  and that will never, ever, ever change.

ever.

i love you to the moon and back (and back again),
mama