There are many legitimate reasons to be late for work:
- Traffic
- Weather
- The alarm didn’t go off
- Doctor’s appointment
- The car wouldn’t start
My reason for being late today doesn’t appear on this list.
I was late because you are beautiful.
I woke up with plenty of time to do all of those weekday “must do’s.” I allowed time to shower, do my hair and makeup, eat breakfast, catch up on my news and my facebook updates, check my email, pack my lunch, pack your lunch, and get you up and dressed. Easy. I’ve planned everything perfectly.
Before my shower, I always check in on you to see you resting well from a day of learning and playing. You were sleeping so peacefully that I decided to watch you a little longer. I wanted a closer look, so I climbed in bed next to you. I looked at your hair, your skin, the freckles sprinkled across your nose, and your little belly rising and falling with each steady breath. I saw the scrapes on your knees from a tumble you took yesterday and your little toe that curls outward.
And time stood still.
In the movie The Bucket List, one of the items on his bucket list is to “kiss the most beautiful girl in the world.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a Vanity Fair model, it was his granddaughter. And it’s true. I’ve seen beautiful things in my life: sunsets in Hawaii, brides dressed in white radiating love, autumn colors that make the forests look like they’ve caught fire. But I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in all of my life, than my daughter with one pajama leg up and one down, little hands twitching from dreams taking you to wonderful new places, while protecting your stuffed dog through it all.
And I was frozen, though the clock ticked on. And I was late for work today.
Because you’re beautiful.