Pitter-Patter-Pitter-Patter-Pitter-Patter-Pitter-Patter-Pitter-Patter-Pitter You squint an eye open, peeking out from mounds of cozy blankets. The air is chilly, and you start shrinking back into the warm nest when two THUMPs shake your body. You feel little limbs scrambling as the children haul themselves over the mountain of covers and wiggle up to the pillows. Little fingers …
“AAAAAAAEEEEEE,” the child carefully draws out the sound. You can feel the vibrations of lilting voice through their warm cheek, which they have placed right next to yours. Your nose itches from the tickling of wispy hairs brushing against your nostrils. A light shake brings relief, and you can again concentrate on the homemade toy …
“Here.” The child hands you the worn lovey. “I made them a bed.” They nodded. “So they can be nice and cozy, like me!” “Oh.” Your eyebrows raise as you smile. You tuck the toddler back into bed, snuggling the blankets to their neck. They wiggle, laughing as they playfully turn their face to avoid …
You pause by the door to the room, leaning against the cool door jamb. The room is almost dark, lit only by the firefly glow of the soft night light. Inside, there is whispering. You lean closer, trying to catch the sounds of the sleepy child inside. Shifting positions, you can barely see …
“Oh!” she gasped, pushing asides crinkling tissue paper. White and Wood Love Letters were nestled among the colorful wrapping, their simplicity piercing through the joyful rainbow. She picked one up, cradling it in her hand as she inspected it more closely. The creamy wood would have appeared white if it had not been …
You step HARD onto a wooden toy hidden underneath a scrap of clothing. “What the…” you begin to mutter, jumping to relieve your bruised archway. You stop saying your intended phrase, seeing that a little head has popped around the edge of the couch. “You found it!” they cry out, running up to you and …
“Here, Grandpa,” I said. “I mixed up the paint for you. These are the colors you wanted for the girls, right?” Filmy eyes squinted at the pink, blue and yellow toy-safe paints. “That’s going to be just fine.”, he rasped. “Now, show me how this works again.” I smiled and handed …
Clack – Clack – Clack! The baby grins, baring the two teeth that finished cutting through the week before. The smile causes their little nose to crunch up and their eyes to squint over chubby baby cheeks that are so delicious that you can’t help but reach over for a gentle pinch. They giggle at …
“GAHHHHHH!!!!!” you shout, grabbing the tiny hand grasping for the open jars of toy-safe paint. Then, just in time, you gently pull back the inquisitive fingers from the wet paint gleaming on the toys. Your reward is a shriek that morphs into a trembling pout. “I’m sorry, sweetie.” You pick the toddler up and swing …
The flowers smell wonderful. Your hand brushed them as you reached for the worn toy next to them, releasing their sweet aroma. You savor it, pressing the scent into your memory as you examine the homemade toy that already contains so many. You can still see the tiny teeth marks on it, and you smile, …
You snuggle up in bed, sighing with the pleasure of feeling the close warmth of your loved one. It is tempting to fall straight asleep; it had been a long and trying day. But that cannot be done. First, there is a tradition that must be observed. “What was your favorite part of …
Their lip quivered. Throwing their arms around you, they sobbed, “I can’t do it!” “Oh, sweetie.” You wrap your arms around their shaking body, setting them on your knee to hold them close and tight. It takes a few minutes before they calm down, wetly sniffing back their sobs. “Now,” you say, …
Creeping up on the tiny lion, you watch as its yellow paw reaches up to the wooden toys. You leap out as they grasp the block and shout, “Gotcha!” In a moment, your arms are full of a squealing, giggling child. After covering them in kisses and pretending to gobble them up, you are …
