....why the sight of your child, fast asleep, is enough to stop your heart.

And honestly, I don't really know if there's an answer they can give you. Because I don't know if anyone knows the reason. There has to be one. Anyone who's a parents will readily tell you it's true; there is something both life-altering and life-affirming about watching your child sleep. But the why behind it.....? That's a little harder.

In my own personal case I often wonder if it's simply because the only time of the day that my daughter is still is when she's sleeping. And I get to admire her; calm, at peace, content and safe. Or, in these drama ridden days of the 'terrible twos' maybe it's because when she's asleep she isn't fighting me or resisting me or saying no to every single thing I suggest. She's sweet and innocent, in other words. Incapable of doing anything wrong. Perfect.

But actually, I think it has more to do a deep sense of vulnerability. For it is nearly impossible to look at my daughter all snuggled up in her foot-ed pajamas, with her butt up in the air and her thumb half in her mouth and not see this tiny, precious, helpless little bundle that needs me; that so desperately needs me. It's in these moments when I stand gazing down at her angelic little face and listening to the quiet sound of her breathing that I most feel the primal surge of maternal instinct. And it is strong. I would die for this child. Willingly and unquestionably. I would do anything and everything necessary to protect her. Because how could I not.

I can so easily go about the mundane dailiness of being a mom and not think much at all about the sheer depths of my love for my daughter; the why behind all that I do. I can run on virtual autopilot all day. But when I stop and take that moment to watch her sleeping....then I get it. Then it all makes sense.

And maybe that's why my heart stops, at least once, every single day. Maybe that's why it needs to.