The meaning of love

Several days ago I was working at the computer when Jed came up to me and said, "What does 'I love you' mean?" Now I knew he wasn't asking me that because he'd just heard it for the first time and had no clue as to its meaning. We say it a million times a day to each other in our house, so it's a phrase he's very familiar with. But his little five-year-old brain is intensely curious about many things, and he's often asking questions--which is fabulous, but just a tad draining when it's ALL DAY LONG!

Well, when he asked me what "I love you" means, I sensed a special teachable moment. So I stopped what I was doing and gave him my undivided attention (which he doesn't always get when he asks a question, otherwise Mommy would go insane and never get anything accomplished...but I digress). I said something like, "It means I think you're special and you're a gift from God and I'm so glad you came to live with us." I remember that I said more but can't recall exactly what. His response was "Oh!" A second later, "I love you, Mommy!" Awwwww! My heart melted and I pulled him into a big hug. It's moments like this that keep a mom going on the hard days. :-)