day 197: good night, sleep tight

Today was hectic.

Finally, at 9:20, I slowed down.

Just a little.

But enough to place 3 girls in their beds.

I told them that in just a few nights,

they'd get to fall asleep with butterfly kisses

still on their cheeks.

Smiles slowly crept across their faces

when they realized what I meant.

One girl pleaded with me to tell her something happy.

She had just read a slightly scary part in her book.

I told her this:

"Before I fall asleep each night,

I think about how close it is to Daddy coming home.

And then when I next wake up,

it's one day closer."

That seemed happy enough for her.

To one girl, I asked what the best part of her day was.

She answered this:

"Mommy, my day just wears me out.

But my favorite part is always my family."

Me too, kiddo.

Me too.