Days' End

I can't wait to go home. The best part of my day, of my EVERY day, is getting home from work and having my kids come running from wherever they are with the biggest smiles you've ever seen on their faces; and an excited, "Mummy's home!" as they wrap their arms around my neck, my legs, my purse because they are happy to see me. There are few things better after a shitty day than to have that love poured on me, refreshing me like an unexpected rainshower in the middle of a hot, humid day.

And the love is returned with as many kisses and hugs as I can sneak in before those 10 seconds are over and it's back to their whining about what we're having for dinner, and "I don't wanna do my homework", and a blood-curdling scream of "me do it"; all while the dog is making that unbearable howling noise she does as I'm trying to untangle her from between my legs and not drop the toddler on her head - which I sort of feel like doing because that screaming is RIGHT IN MY EAR.

And I realize I must be crazy-in-da-head for even thinking of wanting another one. But then my son will give me a hug just because and my daughter lays her head on my shoulder and the dog has stopped shrieking and I can smell the outdoor, sunshiney goodness of my kids.

I close my eyes and know that for this moment, at least, I'm as close to heaven as I'll likely ever get.