Things to Remember

Growling voices, pretending to be monsters. Hiding under beds and blankets.
Pre-bed dance parties, elaborate shows with intermissions and multiple curtain calls.
Sweet cheeks resting on mine as he snuggles in for a nap, both hands holding my face telling me not to leave.
Yelling from the car, “I love you!” and seeing her eyes light up as she waves back.
“I’m never too old, mama. I will never be too old for snuggles. Not even when I’m in college.”
The fighting. They scream at each other with the passion of two little people who are so different and yet so very alike. They hate each other. They love each other. They despise each other. They are each other’s heart.
They call each other “teddy bear.” When one falls and scrapes a knee, the other comes running. “Teddy bear, oh my teddy bear.” In the morning it’s “wake up, teddy bear.” Then they nuzzle into each other and hold on tightly.
Mysteries and games, made up outside. They come in, telling of their clues and what they’ve found. I play along, following the trail, seeing their faces brighten when I pretend to find a new clue they’ve left in the open for me to stumble upon. They giggle, trying to cover their glee.