Hugs

I thought about posting this week...but I just wasn't in the mood. I mean, I had a lot to say, but it was better left unsaid.

But tonight I found the remedy for a rough and tumble week-of-the-heart. Hugs. They are the BEST.

After work, I went over to my friend Faith's house to take Valentines to her two daughters. When I asked earlier in the week if this would be a good day, she not only said yes - she invited me to stay for dinner. YAY! So we had a great couple of hours, hanging out together, eating pizza and salad and sugar cookies with heart sprinkles.

I got a big hug from Hannah - and my favorite part was during dinner, when (around a huge bite of pizza) she asked, "Can Aunt Bekah play after dinner?" And play we did - the three of us. We played Dora Candy Land and blew bubbles - and then watched Hannah "ice skate" a towel over the bubble puddles she'd spilled.

Kaylah, who is just over a year old, gave me lots of smiles and giggles, and proved (only once) that she has learned to say my name. We begged her to say it more but she just smirked and shook her head no. How in the world do they learn to be stubborn that early?

When I left Faith's house, I went over to see Liam and Savannah...who gave me tons of hugs. Liam wasn't feeling so well when I got there, so he just climbed right up in my lap and snuggled in. He also threw a plastic frog down my shirt. What a combo of sweet and all-boy! He ate the frosting off one of the sugar cookies I gave him, and told me he wanted to come to my house to see my puppy. I reminded him it was all kitties at my house - and didn't remind him they never make an appearance when he's there.

Savannah (as a good princess girl does) complimented the Valentines Day nail polish I was sporting and oohed and aahed over the card I made her. I got lots of hugs and stories about school. She showed me what a great reader she's becoming by treating me to a few pages of Dr. Seuss.

I came home from my rounds armed with a bag of Hershey kisses, a rose, a hand stamped valentine, a bunch of great pictures, and a fresh supply of hugs and "I love you, Aunt Bekah!"

And so the week has been redeemed.