With lots of really important things to do,
Which is why I have a personal rule
To set aside my really important busyness
When my daughter asks me for a hug
Because I learned a long time ago that
Her hugs are really, really important, too.
Distracting, rejuvenating moments
Filled with random whispers about
Clowns, Tigers, Princesses,
Rainbows, Babies, Tickles,
Beaches, Puppies, Candies...
"Wouldn't it be funny if we ate the ears off a chocolate bunny,
And then it got up and ran away?"
"Yes!" I say.
"What if I made you an apple pie, and you ate and ate and ate it
And got bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger
And blew away!"
"Yes!" I say....
I smother her cheeks with
Fortifying kisses and assurances
That soon I won't be so distracted
By my really, really important things,
And I'll do much more of this,
So much more of this kind of loving busyness.
"But you're always working!" she says.
"But I'm not working right now," I say.
I give her another squeeze, then suddenly
She squirms, dances, and flits away
Back into her universe
To pursue her playful happiness
And leave me be with all my really, really busy,
And did I mention really, really important,
Things
That simply cannot wait
A second longer.
"Wait up! I'm going with you!" I say,
Before she flies too far away....
