The things we do for love

If you're a mom, you'll definitely be able to relate to this post. If not, you'll most likely still understand.

Most mothers have some sort of change that occurs within their brains shortly after giving birth. I don't exactly know what it's called, but I refer to it as "I'd-jump-in-front-of-a-Mack-truck-to-save-my-child-itis". Any mom that's truly bonded with her child(ren) knows precisely what I'm talking about. Fortunately, for both them and myself, I've never had to jump in front of a Peterbilt or a CSX Transportation 9:37 Special in order to save one of my children. I hope I never have to, to be quite honest.

However, there are other things we do that are no less important but are still worthy of the same level of devotion.

Today's post refers to The Noob. Noob has a very, very special stuffed animal she carries with her most anywhere we go. This creature is simply known as Bunny. Bunny travels with us when we take The Mouth and Slick to school in the morning. Bunny is always present at naptime and bedtime. Bunny goes to the grocery store, the church, and pretty much anywhere else you can think of. Bunny also goes to the YMCA while I work out to keep The Noob company.

This morning, I changed into my workout clothes and told The Noob, "C'mon! It's time to go to the YMCA!"

Her eager reply was, "We go to tha CA?"

I said, "Yep! Get your binky, get your bunny and let's get our shoes on and go. Okay?"

"Okay, Mommy!"

We loaded up, drove there, got out and went inside. I completed my workout and went to retrieve her from the nursery. As she exited the nursery, I asked her, "Did you bring your bunny?" I honestly couldn't remember if she'd brought it with her because I didn't remember it being in her hand as we went down the stairs as we were leaving the house.

She looked up at me and replied, "No. He at home."

I said, "Well, okay, let's go." We strolled outside and loaded up and went on our merry way.

Upon our arrival at home, I made a mental note to look around for Bunny. It's really odd for Bunny to go missing or to be too far out of the way. I got myself cleaned up from my workout and we headed out to pick up some things from the grocery store. I asked her, "Where's your bunny? Are you bringing him with us?"

"He at the CA, Mommy."

"Say what?"

"He nite-nite."

At this point I'm rather perpexed as to Bunny's actual whereabouts. Bunny might be hiding out in The Great Beyond (aka the second floor of my house). I'm also running out of time to get all the things done that I need to get done before it's time to pick up The Mouth and Slick from the bus stop. I said, "Come on, let's just go. We'll find Bunny later."

We loaded, ran our errands, and still made it back in time for the bus. When they got home, I started quizzing them to see if they had any clue where Bunny was hiding. Both of them looked at me and shrugged their shoulders in an "I don't know" fashion. At this point, I'm starting to realize that I might not get any sleep tonight if I don't find this nappy little rabbit. The only thing I can think of is that is must be at the Y.

I should, at this point, mention the fact that it's raining cats and dogs and is about 38 degrees outside.

I am now realizing that I have to get out in the messy weather. At 5:00 PM. On a Friday afternoon. In the pouring rain.

"Come on, y'all. Load up. We have to go find Bunny."

We load up and get out on the wet roads. I arrive at the Y and make my way to the nursery area.

*knock knock knock*

"I think we left Noob's bunny here this morning. Have y'all seen it?"

"Oh, this thing?! This thing gets left here all the time!"

Oh thank you, Lord Jesus. Bunny is safe now.

And that's the things you do for love. You drive through the pouring rain and rush-hour traffic to retrieve a stuffed rabbit that you know means the world to your dear little one.

And I'd do it again and again if it made her happy. 'Cause I love her that much.