I watched my children

more closely tonight.

It had been a normal day,

Maybe better than most.

They were happy,

and decently mannered.

The fights were minor and short.

They gave me hugs and kisses

Even brushed their teeth

and got pyjamas on without complaint.

But I held them a little tighter

Kissed them a few extra times

Because I found out

Someone I hardly knew,

Only a few months older than I am now

Won’t get to hug her babies any more

Will never watch them grow up

And bring more babies home

For her to love

My heart wept for those babies

Who will face a world

Without the woman who loved them

More than they will ever know

Will my kids know

Just how much they mean to me?

Even on days

When my well runs dry?

Will they know everything I do

Is for them?

Will they ever understand how

Lucky they are?

I promise myself

To stop and smell the soft,

Slightly stinky

little kid hair

To tell them everyday

That mommy loves them

Always

And I hope they grow up

And never have to wonder

What would life have been like