More Than Life Itself

A Story by Tabby H.

Love isn't measured in numbers

It was not so long ago that my little baby brother James taught me something valuable in life.Of course,he didn't know;he's only four.But I love him to death,and I make sure he knows it.

One day,I pulled my brother into one of my bear-tight hugs and said "I love you,babe."

He returned my embrace,only a little unwillingly,and with a slightly exasperated tone,said "I love you,too,Tab."

"How much?" I asked,honestly curious but mostly just wanting to tease him.

"Thirteen," he replied.

I was amused by his answer.From then on,for some reason,every time I asked him how much he loved me he would always reply in some sort of mathematical term;as mathematical as a four year old can be,anyway.

Finally,I decided I was going to tell him how much I loved HIM,one single phrase every time I told him.I thought that if I did this long enough,he would soon start repeating it back to me,and when he was older,he would learn to understand it.

So,the next time I asked how much he loved me,and he replied with his usual number,or various numbers,I said,

"I love you more than life itself."

He didn't say it back at first.It took a couple weeks,but finally,when i told him just how much I loved him,he said,

"I love you more than life itself."

He said it awkwardly,the way a child speaks when trying out a new phrase,but I was triumphant.Because one day,when he was older,and I tell him how much I love him,he will understand.And my baby will grow up knowing that he has a big sister who loves him more than her own life.