The best is when

you’re in the bathroom

with the door closed

and on the other side

a toddler is pacing

who has recently learned

how to say your name

and he is practicing it

diligently.

“Auntie Howry.

Auntie Howry.

Auntie Howry?”

And then you open the door

and you treat him like an 8 year old,

because 8 year olds say your name all day,

and you pat him on his small back,

some distant, awkward attempt

at loving touch,

and he imitates his big brothers

and makes faces and sounds

that make you remember

that he’s not an 8 year old

and you kneel down

eye-level with him

and scoop him into your heart

and for just

a few short seconds,

the ever-active

baby-become-boy

snuggles in

and is still

before you

let him go.