The day spent, we lay in bed, catching up on lost snuggle time—a high priority in our household. Buddy’s curls find their way around my nose, tickling me even in their post-shower dampness. I breathe in the smell of shampoo, repositioning my head, and hug him tighter.

“You know what, Buddy?” I say. “I think you’re the best boy ever.”

He squeezes my arm, wrapped securely around his waist. “And you’re the best Momma ever,” he replies.

“I mean it, Buddy. I think you are a really neat kid,” I tell him, wanting him to get that I’m not just saying this because this is something Momma’s say. Wanting him to get that I see him for who he is, and that who he is has value. Wanting him to get that I don’t just love him, but I like him, too.

He squeezes again. “I mean it too, Momma,” he says. And in a whisper he adds, “You help me when I need help.”

You help me when I need help. I am caught off guard by his comment—I smile a “that’s an interesting thing to say” smile in the dark. “I’m happy to help you, Buddy. I will always help you when you need help.”

It is interesting the things that speak love to a child. So often, they are not the things we think we should be doing. They are the things are children ask for. Snuggling. Praying. Doing something together. Time spent in proximity at the end of a day of separateness. Helping when one needs help. Putting the work aside and playing four square (with two people) when you’d really rather get your work done. I don’t do it all perfectly. Some of it I don’t even do with mediocrity. But in his world, at the moment, there is a little bit I am doing right.

After my week, I will take it, and rest in that tonight.