Pure Joy

So yesterday was one of those days where I really enjoyed and cherished being a mother. However, this is not typical of everyday. I got two of the kids off to school and the third one off to preschool. I didn't have much on my schedule (which tends to be the days I cherish my children). We got home from dropping my third off at preschool and the baby wanted my attention. Normally, if I don't have much on my schedule I get caught up with household chores or e-mails, etc. This day I decided I would let her have my attention. So, we both went out back to play on the swing set. It has a little fort on it as well with a slide. She was delighted and her eyes lit up when she realized I was coming out with her. I thought, you only have these opportunities once in life. We went out and she climbed and I pushed her on the swing and she slid down the slide. She climbed to the top of the fort and was peeking out and giggling at me. When she did this, my heart melted and I thought as I laughed out loud, THESE are the important things in life. I thought of all the other things that needed my attention and none of them are as important as this. As she giggled and I found myself laughing out loud, the thoughts of THIS is pure joy! My eyes welled up with tears and then I laughed thinking how silly it is that I was teary eyed. We played for a long time and I would occasionally come in and fold laundry in the kitchen while I watched her play out the window. She would then come in and put her hand out and say "om on, om on" and I would follow her back out to play. It was truly one of those moments I wish I could capture in a bottle.