Being Blessed

Tonight was one of those nights that enlarge my heart so dramatically it's a miracle it doesn't swell right out of my chest. Nothing out of the ordinary, just hugs, walks, and simple miraculous conversation with a two year old. Standing butt-naked and squeaky clean, Lydia sang patty-cake all of the way through with Elvis over the edge of the tub, and then the two of them erupted in laughter, thus sending Brandon and I into a fit of laughter, which made Elvis and Lydia laugh some more - both so excited and giddy that they bounced up and down laughing.

Ah, to laugh. Our children beg to laugh - please, please tickle me! And then they wriggle and scream in joy until we stop, catch our breath, and then launch in again. Tickle tickle tickle tickle!

We laugh when Elvis hears the Sesame Street theme song and waddles into the living room, his rear end stuck out as he walks, like an old man, over to the television and then starts to march around in a circle, dancing to the tune.

We laugh when Lydia pulls her pants up past her belly button, her buttocks hanging out the back end.

We laugh when one of us is in a cranky mood and asks, "Aren't you going to make me some tea?"

We laugh at one-liners from Anchorman (I'm kind of a big deal...) and Office Space (You know, he made a million dollars...) and a billion other movies that sneak into daily life.

We laugh at our dog Tex rolling around on his back trying to scratch that one itchy spot, his 80 lb. body twisting, legs lurching back and forth, and then the delighted shake when it's all done.

We laugh at ourselves, our crabby tendencies, our silly self-mocking faces and comments.

There's nothing like a good chuckle to let you know that you are blessed. To have this overflow of joy on a daily basis, a "cup of good cheer" to accompany the slice of humble pie... that is blessed.