Hug

Over 13 months of hugs have been given.  Now, in the last few weeks, hugs are being returned.  I never knew a feeling like this before....a child, MY child wants to hug me back!  One word.....breathtaking!
It started subtly with him  holding my sleeve, or collar.  It then went to tightening his grip on my arm when I carried him. Then it progressed to him holding around my neck when I hugged him.  But now, with just a simple question, "Can Mommy have a hug?" it happened.  He smiles that big smile, up goes his two arms around my neck, and he pulls me to him.  That's it.  That's all I need.  A hug.  A genuine chosen measure of his love in return.  What is better than that?  Absolutely nothing!!

(The ability of Ben to crack me up is endless....and this is one of the most recent.  His new favorite snack.....cheeseballs.  And he knows right where they are in the pantry!)