Michael

This little boy is my new job.

Except to me, it's not a "job". Every morning I wake up, get ready and drive to the office, where I watch Michael... and I see his bright face. Naturally he doesn't come running to me because I'm that lady who makes his parents go away but he knows who I am and I see that sly smile from behind his pacifier.

He will be one next month. I am watching daily as his personality comes to life more and more - he is coming out of that baby shell. I work with him on walking and balancing and exploring nature. We love nature. And so far his favorite things are picking the leaves from the bushes and violently shaking his hands to watch the leaves fall off - that are inevitably stuck to his sticky baby fingers. He also likes laughing at tree bark as I chip it from a tree.

He is becoming headstrong and eager to be everywhere at once. I will enjoy these moments, as it will keep me busy, to say the least.

All of this to say, I'm blessed that this is my job. There will be days I won't want to wake up and I just want to sleep - like always - but I never leave this place disappointed.