47/52 – Gratitude

I’m grateful for many things – big and small.  Mostly, of late, I’m grateful for my family.  I’m grateful for the lives we share together and the lives we have built together.

The relationships between each of my family members, respectively and as a whole, are simultaneously complex and unique.

Even though her brother has doted on her since birth, the Doodle has only finally said his name.  He never really got a steady nickname like his older sister, even though he’s the one family member she consistently tries to engage.  Her eyes shimmer and shine for him.  And now the Doodle can call out his name.

I’m grateful for these siblings.

Otto’s uncle is a the magician at family parties.  He mastered a few hand-eye tricks when she was younger and he loves to pull them out now that there are grandchildren and young cousins running around.  Otto and Bubaloo like the idea of making things magically disappear behind the Doodle’s head and magically reappear.  They don’t have to master the sleight of hand quite yet as the Doodle is simply amazed that something can disappear from her eyesight and then reappear.

She loves this game and pleads for more.  She giggles uncontrollably. Again and again she begs with the word ‘more.’

And really, when you’re rewarded with an expression like this, how can you not oblige?