The Love You Can’t Wipe Off

How bold one gets when one is sure of being loved.” – Sigmund Freud

One morning last week, I gave five-year-old Mr. D a kiss on the cheek as he was getting out of the car at school. He turned and said, “Sometimes I wipe your kisses off.” I laughed and then he jumped out of the car and ran to join his class line.

I was still laughing when this retort popped to mind: “Nice try but the mark of love doesn’t wipe away that easily.”

It’s in the clean clothes you have to wear. And packed with the lunch I’ve taken the time to try to balance nutrition with edibility.

It’s with the reading practice we did last night so you can feel more confident today. And in the jobs I let you “help” with to gain a since of accomplishment.

Love is in the echo of you saying “My best mom in the world” when we snuggle on the couch in the morning.

It’s in the tilt of your head when you speak because you know you are worth being listened to.

And it’s in the even-handed way you treat other people and the dog and cat with curiosity and companionship.

We don’t have everything and sometimes butt heads, but love shows up to help smooth out our edges.

Love is in your knowledge that you can tell me that you wipe my kisses off. And that I’ll still keep trying on your way out the door.

86 thoughts on “The Love You Can’t Wipe Off

  1. Wowza…straight to the heart, Wynne. The tilt of his head as a sign of self-worth. So subtle but I know that look…and you captured the moment so well. Mr. D has the swagger of a young boy ready to lead, do good. Way to go, momma. Way to go. 🥰❤️🥰

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  2. Thanks Wynne. ‘The mark of love doesn’t wipe away that easily.’ I like it. The mark of love? What sort of mark does love leave? Visible or invisible? Public or private? Temporary or permanent?

    You’ve got me thinking!

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  3. Oh so beautiful Wynne. Such a lovely way to start the week with this inspired post. Love can’t be wiped off so easily and it sinks straight and deep into the heart. 💕 Wishing you three a great week ahead!

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  4. So many women would have been hurt by his comment – a sad thing. Much better to laugh it off knowing that there is love most bountiful between the two.

    Lovely write.

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  5. I remember wiping of my grandmother’s kisses when they left my cheek wet, and I felt so GUILTY! It really did feel like I was wiping her love off, so I learned to just dab off the wet, to try to keep the kiss intact! I hadn’t thought about that small gesture in decades, and you bring it to life. I love how you respond to him, even if it was silently, letting him know all the ways your love encompasses him. Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Tamara! I love how you learned to dab and keep the kiss intact. For the record, I don’t think the kisses are wet – and I’m not even wearing lipstick. But there must be something palpable. All good with me. 🙂 ❤ ❤

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      1. Lol, the feeling on the skin! He’s getting to be a big boy now so maybe that comes close to feeling babied?

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  6. Amen Wynne!

    Thanks for the reminder Wynne of the saying, “We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.” … true riches!

    Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!

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  7. This 👇🏻
    “Love is in your knowledge that you can tell me that you wipe my kisses off. And that I’ll still keep trying on your way out the door.”
    ….. brought tears to my eyes because I know it 🥰

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  8. Superman has immense strength. Spider-Man has his web. Iron-man has his genius intellect and cool toys. And Super Mom, oh she’s more powerful than them all. There’s no wiping off her love. It’s there for all time and shows up when you least expect it! Love the pic of him heading off to school too. What a cool shot. So young and so smart. Very cool.

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  9. Having been through many phases of parenthood, love is the neverending quality that gets us through the rough spots. Hopefully, Mr. D won’t grow into an ornery teen, but the good news Is they eventually come back into the fold.

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