My Right Arm

My kids have the best grandpa in the whole world.
On Monday Doodle called him, begging him to take her on a horse ride.
He said, "No way! I don't like horse rides! I don't think I can manage taking a little girl on a ride!"
Not really.
Really he said, "Can you be here in 10 minutes?"
We decided on Wednesday instead.
It turned out to be a perfect day.
The sun was bright and there was just the hint of the perfect breeze.
Our favorite aunt Lisa and Justin showed up with their horses, to boot!
Kathy and I fished with the little boys while the others rode.
Then the horses found us near the lake.
Suddenly all the little boys wanted a ride, too.
We put the boys double decker on the horses and away they rode.
The strangest feeling came over me as I saw all of my children riding away from me.
Suddenly my hands were empty and I felt odd.
Like those horses were riding away with my right arm, leaving the rest of me behind.
As mothers I wonder if we really comprehend the bond we have with our children.
Their little lives are so intricately intertwined with our own.
Sometimes it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Everything we do is for them and with them.
We bake, read, nurture, hug, listen, kiss, hold, scold, cry, laugh, dance, fall, run together every day.
My children are, hands down, my biggest frustration in life. But they are also, hands down, my greatest joy.
And I would not trade one second of it for anything in the world!