Love and Coffee

As the earliest glimpses of light peeks in through the window

The laughter of a small voice gurgles across the silence of the room

Daddy sleeps on as she nears the bed

“Mommy, I want to snuggle you.”

I lift the covers and she slips inside them.

Even as I bury my face back in the pillow

I know I seek something I won’t find again today

“Here, read this book.”

“I need some water.”

She’s nothing if not persistent

but still I try, hoping for one last glimpse of Nod.

“Mom, it’s morning time!!!”

Her voice exultant

her confidence buoyed by the brilliance now streaming into the room

Despite my exhaustion

I find myself smiling

and chuckling at her exuberance to begin the day

of breakfast

and big sister

and a magical world of her making.

I get up and discover I feel ok.

Love is definitely stronger than coffee.