I should back up though....set the scene. It'd been a nice evening. We had a great dinner...some homemade taco salad with all the trimmings including homemade guacamole! My parents were here for dinner. We had some after dinner "tearing up and down the hallways" rough-housing...followed by a nice little walk around the neighborhood, pulling the kids in the wagon. My parents left....and then it was normal bed-time routines: bath, jammies....a treat....teeth brushing....all followed by a few minutes of snuggling on the couch with both kids on my lap. Gabe told me "I wish I could just fall asleep right here, mom...right here on your lap." That was a sweet moment in itself.
I scooted them off my lap, and Shawn took them down the hall and got them in bed first....I followed a couple of minutes behind, after lights were out, and they were tucked in. I entered Lo's room first.....went over and knelt down beside her bed...and I prayed, like I always do. And as I finished with the "Amen"...my ears tuned in to the music softly playing in the background....just as Lauren reached her little hand up and traced the side of my face with her little two-year old fingers.
I heard.....
"........I've seen the light,
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes,
I can see the future,
A reflection of who I am and what will be,
And though she'll grow and someday leave,
Maybe raise a family,
When I'm gone I hope you see,
How happy she made me,
For I'll be there,
In my daughter's eyes."
And I knelt there....breathless....soaking in those words....and gazing in to her little brown eyes....as she played with the side of my face...and I just dissolved into tears...and a love so intense that it can not be described. I am so THANKFUL for my kids. I will tell you right now that it is not possible to love them more than I do right now, and yet tomorrow, I know I will.
A single moment like this can just define a life...it can make everything so crystal clear...put it all into perspective. We are gifts to each other...me to her...and her to me. I sat there in that moment and I prayed that when people see the reflection of who I am in her eyes...that it will be that of someone who loves God and has done everything she possibly could for her children. And I hope I can show my children every day just how happy they have made me. I could never have enough time with them...thank you God for each day more that I have with them!!! And....thank you God for tender moments like this evening's.....thank you tonight for my little Lo.
If you're a mom and you have not heard this song...I encourage you to go listen...and I've included the full lyrics below. :)
Martina McBride - In My Daughter's Eyes Lyrics
Writer(s):SLATER, JAMES T.
Artist: Martina McBride LyricsIn my daughter's eyes,
I am a hero,
I am strong and wise,
And I know no fear,
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be,
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes,
Everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace,
This miracle god gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak,
I find reason to believe,
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand around my finger,
How it puts a smile in my heart,
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about,
It's hanging on when your heart is had enough,
It's giving more when you feel like giving up,
I've seen the light,
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes,
I can see the future,
A reflection of who I am and what will be,
And though she'll grow and someday leave,
Maybe raise a family,
When I'm gone I hope you see,
How happy she made me,
For I'll be there,
In my daughter's eyes
