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Then there are days like this where I'm reminded of all the good things about parenting my awesome little guy.
I got to hear his cute little giggle when we were being silly together. I got to see his eyes grow wide with wonder as we saw each new animal.
When he saw my parents at the gate—a planned surprise by the three of us—the love and adoration he felt for them was so clear it was like I could feel it too.
All of that was already almost too much to take in, and now he's just shouting to the world how much he's loved?
Damn it, Avery, you're supposed to be stopping the tears, not making them worse.
A warm arm wraps around my shoulders, and I smell my mother's signature floral perfume.
“Everyone tells you that their hurts will make you hurt too. You can prepare for that one. What they never seem to mention—or at least no one mentioned it to me—is how awe-inspiring and heart wrenching it is to realize your baby knows how much they're loved. You're doing such a good job with him, Sweetheart.”
I swipe vainly at my eyes with the back of my hand. “Thank you.”
“You know I love you, right?”
“I do know that, maybe even more so now that I'm a mother myself. I love him more intensely than I ever could have imagined. I know everyone says it, but feeling it is so different from just knowing. And I know you know this already, but I love you too.”
Mom kisses the side of my head. “I know.”
Somehow, that little smooch was enough to set the world right side up again.
I take a slow breath and then head back to the other half of the group arm in arm with my mother.
The rest of the exhibits pass with very little excitement—well, for me, at least.
Leo decided he's far too excited to just sit around on Opa's shoulders. Instead, he's going as fast as his little legs will take him holding tightly to my father's hand.
Those two are inseparable and I wouldn't want it any other way.
“Do you think the two of them will sleep well tonight?”
“There might be a chance of that,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Speaking of sleeping well, I happened to notice?—”
“Ma! Oma! The snake house!” Leo squeals as he runs back to us.
There is a lot that I'll do for my son. I'd kill for him. I'd die for him. I'll even touch a worm for him, but I will never willingly go into an enclosure full of snakes and other scaly things.
That is a good part of the reason I asked my parents to come along. My father never misses an opportunity to admire reptiles.
Dad even asked me once, and only once, if he could give Leo a lizard or a snake when he gets old enough to have a pet.
I'd told him if it was kept anywhere other than his house, I'd be kicking him out of the family.
I wouldn't really do it and he knows that, but he did get the message loud and clear.
There will be absolutely no snakes in my home.
Ever.
“Let's go.” He puts his hands on his hips impatiently.
“Actually, Little Bug, your mom and I are going to rest our feet on that bench right by the reptile house.”
“You scared like Ma?” he asks.
