Photo Challenge: Warmth

Kinley's face was a study of light and shadows as the hallway light spilled into the open door of the nursery. She was tucked into the crook of my right arm. I felt the warmth of her breath on my hand as I held the pacifier in place for a few seconds more ... just to be sure.

I kept the glider rocking back and forth as I felt the heat from her body meld with mine. A rapid hiccup of breath disrupted the steady rhythm of sleep. She weighs less than a 10-pound bag of flour in my pantry, but the weight of love and promise seep into my very bones as I watch her sleep. As the furnace kicked on, we snuggled into the embrace of the chair, heartbeat matching heartbeat.

It was 5 o'clock or so. No moonlight found its way through the blinds of the nursery windows, but the light from the hallway seemed like a warm beacon. I had sent Jill and Eric back to bed when their wide-eyed girl decided she needed some company.

Later in the day, she was again nestled into the bend of my arm. As I sat by the window, the gray, chilly skies provided no sunbeam of warmth, but Kinley was like a little hot water bottle, her body heat seeping into my heart.

The next day, I peeked through the staircase to see Kinley and her Grandpa sharing a snuggle while her Mommy took a shower. With his little heat source nestled on his shoulder, he no longer needed the fleece blanket, now tossed aside on the couch.

Do you remember those paper chains we made for Christmas back in grade school? My heart is full to overflowing to know that this little person will be another link in the family chain, an unbroken band that links generation to generation to generation. I am blessed.

"Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,
for the touch of a friendly hand
and for a talk beside the fire:
It is the time for home."

- Edith Sitwell

Brent, Jill & Randy - 1989

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I am linked to the Poetic Winter Photography Challenge with Project Alicia, Rebecca at Bumbles and Light, Faith at Sweet Violet and Kristi of Live and Love Out Loud. Visit the other links for more creative photos illustrating warmth.