A baby’s feet, like sea-shells pink,
Might tempt, should heaven see meet,
An angel’s lips to kiss, we think,
A baby’s feet.
—A. C. Swinburne, Etude Realiste
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We had a child who was very fond of Baby’s feet.
Once Baby was all bathed and dressed for bed, a secret and almost sacred ritual would begin.
First he would shyly ease his way into the dim-lit nursery and stand a bit away from the rocker where Baby rested in my arms. Then he would ask if Baby had bathed and if Baby’s feet were all clean.
Once assured, he then would ask if he might kiss Baby’s feet.
It always awed me, the tenderness this one had for Baby and for Baby’s feet.
And those were the nights that I learned all the baby expert books in the world that predict jealousy in the displaced sibling meant nothing to me.
Absolutely nothing.
And I never consulted them again.
It’s true! My eldest never once displayed jealousy of his baby brother. If they feel loved and secure in their parents’ love, why would they?
And there’s nothing sweeter than kissing a baby’s feet.
Thanks, Tilly! Your affirmation means lots to me! 🙂
😀 xx
This evokes images of the sweetmess of childhood. You are raising a wonderful son. Congrats, Barbara
Thanks so much Barbara! I had five very sweet children and consider it such a blessing! Thanks for your kind words, here. 🙂
i agree. children can innately know that love shared with another does not mean there is less love available for them. what a sweet memory of your children. tender and loving. i know where they got that! you and your husband showing them by example that the family is their first way of knowing of God’s love for them.
Oh, you sweetie! So where did my husband and I get that, since we were once rascally unbelievers? Hmm? It was a gift. So we wouldn’t boast. 😉