prescription for pain

"Mommy," my 6-year-old called, "my tummy hurts so bad. The only thing that will make it feel better is more cuddle-time with you."

I could hear the tears in Keona's voice so I knew this wasn't a stay-up-and-talk-instead-of-sleep ploy. Baby girl has had a tummy ache for several days.

So I laid down to cuddle with my dear daughter. She placed her head near my heart and wrapped us in her blanket.

"I wonder why cuddling with you is the only thing that makes me feel better when I'm hurting?" she sniffed between tears.

Before I could answer, she said, "I think it's because I love you so, so, so much."

Then I was the one crying.

Even in her pain, my daughter speaks words that heal others.

Love--what a force.