Eight Minutes to Cherish

Abraham woke from his nap the other day and was still a little groggy. He allowed me to hold him in the recliner for eight full minutes. He was molded to my chest, clasping his blankie with one hand and holding onto me with the other. He didn’t move except to grab a little tighter as I breathed deeply. There was no TV, no other children and nothing urgent that needed to be done. What I could see was a blazing fire and beautiful Christmas tree. What I could smell was baby shampoo and a slightly wet diaper. What I could hear was a tiny wimper in the midst of silence.

What I could feel was love.