My Happy Note

Dear Mommy

I ♥U and U♥me

you’re my favoit

Grownup in The world

you’re my momy I♥U

I Never wont to be apart from You

I♥U to much Never leav me

never.

This is my happy note; the one that has been taped to my file cabinet, by the computer desk, for the past six or so years. It’s scrawled on a piece of paper from a space camp, a cartoon astronaut smiling and waving at me from inside his spacesuit.

This is what I need to read when I’m tired, when I’m frustrated, and when I’m overwhelmed. Perhaps I’m complaining about the messy house, or cringing at the sound of the toddler winding up for an epic temper tantrum. Perhaps my shoulders slump as I consider the tedium of yet another diaper change. Perhaps I’m nervously anticipating a not-so-distant future with a teenager, as I watch her disappear to her room to chat on the phone, away from my prying ears.

No matter what bad mood may plague me, this happy note never fails to put a smile on my face.  Not just for the memory of that little girl, now growing up so quickly, but also for the promise and anticipation of more happy notes to come. As she grows into a kind, loving, young woman, the notes I get have become better written, with excellent grammar and spelling, but the sentiment is always the same. My daughter loves me. All too soon, the toddler will be sharing similar happy notes with me. She loves me too.

My wish for all of you is that your days be filled with happy notes, kisses, hugs, or other such expressions of love. For when we feel we’re at the end of our rope, it is our children who possess a remarkable ability to extend us a lifeline.