I get excited when I see my 2 year old daughter smile. When I come home from work, when I tell her I want to take a hike with her, when I tell her I want to read a story to her. Even if it's the same old book she wants me to read, I'll do it with enthusiasm. This past weekend while we were hiking in our yard, she asked me if she could hug a tree. I thought if that tree only knew how lucky it was to get an unsolicited hug from such a beautiful little girl.

I say that because although she isn't the most generous hugger, she will give you one if you ask. Every once in a while she will walk up to me and hug my leg. I'll get down on the floor and give her a hug back, and I'll ask what the hug was for. There doesn't seem to be any reason, and that's a good thing. I wrote this to remind me when she might get on my nerves, or I’m too busy to spend time with her, or she gets mad because she doesn’t want to go to bed. Nurture that love, it’s more important than me. Just ask a tree.