When the sons were still toddlers
their eyes would light up when they saw me
at the door and there’d be big grins
on their faces and arms stretched
towards me to wrap around my neck.
And my heart would give a little jump of joy.

The sons are grown now
and I didn’t expect to ever see
again eyes light up at the sight of me.

But yesterday –
My dad’s eyes lit up when he saw me
at the door, and he said, “What a nice surprise!
It’s so good to see your smile again!”

And I ask you:
Is there anything more magical than eyes
that light up when you appear at the door?

-Karen Molenaar Terrell