Unadulterated Love

Ever since I have became pregnant, I have not felt well most evenings. This means by bed time I am pretty miserable. My husband tries his best to make me feel better. He massages my feet, he rubs my back, and listens to me complain incessantly.

Since he sleeps with us, my son has also begun to pitch in. It used to be that he gave hugs and kisses upon request. It never occurred to him to do so without being asked.

However, now, at bed time, when I am feeling my lowest, he drenches me with kisses, caresses my face and hair saying "emama, emama" (mommy in Ethiopian) and gives me his million dollar smile.

Most incredibly, he attempts to give me massages! I mean, how amazingly sweet is that? I have been brought to tears many times by his show of affection. I have had to pretend I feel better so he can fall asleep peacefully. I have had to hide my misery for fear that he might somehow apply weird toddler logic and decide he is responsible for mama's problems.

But regardless, everyday at bed time, Buchela now gives me a massage and many kisses before he goes to sleep. It has become our routine whether he does it for five seconds or one minute.

At 19 months he has already learned love is reciprocal, a lesson most adults are hard pressed to understand.