This week, I left my youngest for a few hours, and when I came home, I found out she cried for most of the time I was away! After she caught her breath, I reminded her that I was always with her — “in her heart and her mind” — even if I wasn’t physically right next to her, in hopes that she’d find comfort next time. I pointed to my chest and forehead when I said this.
Avie lifted her hands and pointed to her red swollen eyes and said softly, “But you weren’t here.”
All I could do was hold her tightly. Sure, part of me wanted to ‘toughen her up’, but mostly, I wanted to embrace her loving nature and respect that she still needs me. Plus, today marks the 17th year anniversary of my dad’s passing, and I remember feeling the same way about my dad as Avie does about me, except she still has the ability to see me, hug me, and talk to me after I’ve been away.
Life is fragile and unpredictable, and it has a way of toughening us up (unfortunately) without us needing to force it.
So for now, I will hold my little one as much as she wants me to. ❤️
