A Reminder

Sometimes one little thing can stop you.
It doesn't happen often enough to me.
Last night was another round of bed times. Daddy Ringleader (DRL) was in charge of stories. I was probably messing around on the computer when I knew it was coming.
Another round of good night routines with Pudge. Every night after story time she has to get out of bed to go brush her teeth. It cannot be done before story time. I have already tried that. Once teeth are brushed it's back to her room where she needs a cup of cold water within arms reach. Lights off, dream light on. Cuddles, tuck in, and the first verse of Away in a Manger. Every night. Some nights I fall asleep while DRL is reading to them. Last night I didn't quite make it to bed.
Instead, little feet came paddling out. I  picked her up and made it halfway to her room when it hit me. That sweet, innocent, almost-5-year-old nestled against my neck. That love. That reminder that I prayed and waited for moments like these. It wasn't another night of bedtime routines. It was a chance to marvel that we had been blessed with this wonderful little girl. Thank you God for the reminder of the joy of raising little ones. That the effort is worth it. That tantrums and sibling bickering is not all of it. That one little girl with her head against my neck is mine.