Little Sunshine — A Love Poem to My Son

I have a son—

a little boy

with a soul so bright it takes my breath away.

He is beautiful,

raw,

new to the world

yet ancient,

otherworldly and earthy

in the same breath.

A tiny embodied miracle.

His wide and generous smile cracks me open.

I giggle at his mischievous eyes and grin as he starts to chase the dogs.

At night, I cherish his cuddles and nuzzles and squirms—

how he curls himself deep

into the side of my hip, or arm, or face.

This love

is everything.

It eclipses all other love I have ever known and yearned for.

This love is the richest, most fulfilling,

and delicious chocolate I’ve ever tasted.

This love tickles awake the deepest parts of my soul—

like a chaotic, rose-colored sunset washing the entire horizon in its majesty.

This love.

You call out, “Mama,” and I melt

into a deep vat of creamy taffy.

You laugh in your sleep, waking me with your funny dream,

and a sun flare bursts in my heart.

You cuddle with daddy, kissing him sweetly a good night,

and I feel utterly and completely whole.

Skyler, I have tears streaming down my face as I write this.

My evening face cream is now leaking into my eyes, stinging them—

and it’s so worth it.

Because I love you

so much.

You are my son.

My love.

My joy.

My sunshine.

I finally understand why humans have children—

to be cracked open, shredded, annihilated by the pure, undiluted miracle

of unconditional love.

Yep, that’s it.

I love you, little sunshine.