This Is Joy

I don't have much time to write, but this one had to be documented. I need to remember this forever. For a while now, Dylan, at 14 months of age, has been very interested in the dishwasher. Every time he hears me open it, he comes toddling at me full speed, with a look of excitement and determination that today will be the day he gets to play in there. He has managed to climb up onto the open door a few times, and grab the apparently most interesting item - the steak knives! For that reason, lately I have been shutting the door quickly, before he is able to come near the dishwasher.

But today, when he ran at it full speed, squealing with glee, and tripped over his own feet in the process, landing Thud!, I caved. He just looked so darn sad and disappointed! So I picked him up, gave him a hug, took the silverware portion out of the dishwasher, and waited to see what havoc he would create. He looked at me in absolute astonishment, looked at the dishwasher, looked back at me. Then, he pulled out a small plate and handed it to me! To put away! When I made a fuss and said "Thank You!", he grinned at me with such a look of pride, my heart almost exploded with joy. Again and again, he handed me plates, glasses, and bowls, grinning away at me, and there I was, almost in tears at the beauty of this moment.