Snuggles

This was a weekend for the boys. Galen, Liam and I, along with Randy and Alexander, and Ed all converged on Albuquerque for the 2015 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Now, the Fiesta holds its own as a source of stories and pictures. And then there's the food, that complex, spicy New Mexican fare that is simply delicious. But for me, this trip was especially memorable for the snuggles.

Both boys still ask me for an occasional snuggle. Liam, almost every night. And Galen, maybe he'll ask once or twice a month. But both are happy to make room if I crawl in. Seldom do they not complain of my breath, but they are content to talk, snuggle, and still be my kids.

On this trip, the three of us would share a queen size bed. Before they fell asleep there would be cries of, "you're on my side," or, "quit touching me." I would leave the room, off to the hotel lobby. Someplace to read, relax, BS with others before I too, would need sleep.

And when I returned, I would gaze down upon their sleeping forms. Liam sprawled out on the left, Galen curled up on the right and a bit of space in the middle. Not much, mind you. In reality it was barely enough to be their neutral zone. That small bit of real estate was going to be my sleep space.

I would crawl up and over the covers, and slip into that small space down the middle. For the three of us, there was no room to spare. As I fell asleep, I'd listen to their breath. My arm would feel the heartbeat of whichever one I was embracing. It was not the struggle I had imagined, falling asleep between them was easy, peaceful.

I know there will be a day when they no longer want to snuggle. But for now, they do. And for now, I'll take every memory, every snuggle, every moment I can.