Hold You

There are no sweeter words in the English language than "Hold You". I don't know if it is a rite of passage for all children but Josie and now Owen used the term right around 18 months. And they both had the same sweetly pathetic tone that makes your heart melt and your arms open, no matter how tired you are from a long day.

Tonight I was changing Owen's final diaper of the day before I put him to bed. As I changed him he was kicking me repeatedly in the crotch. I am not great at acting mad but I tried to hide my smile so at least he wasn't quite so encouraged. I also figured that his dad's reaction to the kicks in the crotch would nip the habit in the bud much more easily than my, "no no no".

As he kicked me and laughed after a day that seemed longer than most, I was counting the seconds until I could lift him up and drop him in his wooden cage. He must have sensed my attempt at detachment. As I zipped up his pajamas, he looked at me and whispered, "hold you." I picked him up and held him for an extra long version of "goodnight sweetheart."

Pretty soon he will move on to "hold me" and I will probably forget about the sweetest words in the English language. This must be why people keep having babies, despite how excited you are to throw them in their wooden cages at half passed seven. Just to remember that something as simple as "hold you" can make you feel like every painful moment you have ever endured was worth it. A simple mis-spoken phrase erases every bad feeling you have ever felt and makes you feel nothing but blessed.