You fell asleep on me today. The kind of sleep that feels heavy, relaxed and slumped over—all your weight pushing on me. The kind of sleep with slow deep breaths as you snuggle tightly in my arms. The kind of sleep where I don’t dare move a muscle because it might wake you. The kind of sleep that reminds me of the early days and months when we rocked each other to sleep under the moonlight.

You are three, so I know these moments are few and far. It might even be the last time this ever happens. But even if it is, I want you to know, sweet child of mine, I will always be your safe haven.

When the day is long and nothing goes your way, I will always be your safe haven.

When I hear your cries in the middle of the night, I’ll always come running, I will always be your safe haven.

When the tantrums are rampant, tears frequent and smiles few and far between, I will always be your safe haven.

When you fall and scrape your knee, and it still hurts even after the Band-Aid, I will always be your safe haven.

When we are out of town and I forgot your “big moose” for bedtime and you cannot fall asleep without him, I will always be your safe haven.

When you come home crying because another child called you “little” I will always be your safe haven.

When you feel frustrated you cannot run as fast as the bigger kids, I will always be your safe haven.

When you are scared because that slide was just too fast, I will always be your safe haven.

When you are nervous as you walk into your new school for the first time, squeezing my hand a little tighter, I will always be your safe haven.

When you tell me you failed your math test, I will always be your safe haven.

When you break your arm from falling off the monkey bars, I will always be your safe haven.

When your feelings are hurt because you were the only one not invited to the party, I will always be your safe haven.

When I catch you in your very first lie, I will always be your safe haven.

When you are devastated because you didn’t make the team, I will always be your safe haven.

When your heart breaks for the first time, I will always be your safe haven.

When you are worried because there is alcohol at the party you are attending, I will always be your safe haven.

When you question who loves you, how much and how far, I will always be your safe haven.

When you see for the first time how cruel and harsh the world can be, I will always be your safe haven.

When you pack up your room for college, but are just not sure you’re ready to leave home, I will always be your safe haven.

When you are all grown up, taller than me, and out on your own to conquer the world, but it is harder than you imagined, I will always be your safe haven.

Here and there and all the thousand tiny moments in between, even when you have long outgrown my lap, my arms will always be open to squeeze you tight.

I will always be your safe haven.

Love,
Mom