Aleahhh Claire

Today. Today was one of those days. They come around every so often, but you know what else comes around almost ALWAYS on those days that I have one of THOSE days? A little piece of heaven. It always comes. And I feel like I'm starting to count on it...

Today I needed a happy heart to soften the heavy one that seemed to be sitting in my chest.

So I called my sister hoping I'd find some comfort. What I didn't expect was that little voice in the back ground to be the one I needed to hear from.

Rachel said to me, "Aleah has been wanting me to call you for days now to tell
you something. But I want her to tell you, so here she is..."

Let me jump back six weeks ago: Rachel had told me about a group of little girls at Aleahs school who created a club called the "Star Club". Only cool girls could be in it. (We all remember

those days. At least I do. Maybe I wasn't the coolest girl on the block in my day... ) I remembered how mean kids could be. It's not an easy life out there on the playground! So Rachel told Aleah it probably wasn't the best idea to be part of the "Star Club". And she listened. Even though they were her friends.

So I was babysitting Aleah a couple days later. I talked to her about it. And about how important it was to be nice. I asked her if she had ever seen anyone play alone at recess. She said yes. So I told her, "if you find someone playing alone at recess, I want you to go play with them. Be their friend. Boy or girl." She was a little hesitant when I said "boy", which I was secretely proud of... she's learning young- boys are baaaaad ;) . I told her that if she'd do it, I would take her anywhere she wanted to go. Just a date for the two of us.

Kids never forget what you say.

Back to present day: Aleah picked up the phone. I asked her what she wanted to tell me so badly!? In the sweetest most sincere little voice she said, "well I found a boy playing on the playground all by himself. I saw him on the swings. So I asked him if he needed a friend. And he did! So we played together the whole time on the swings!!"

Instantly remembering the promise I had made her six weeks previous, tears started streaming down my face (and no worries, I've been extremely emotional this entire week..) I was so proud of her. I also realized that she was being the friend I needed right then. A five year old.

Ahhhhhhh. I LOVE KIDS. I love how sincere their little hearts are. They mean everything they say or do. They don't do anything half-heartedly. They love and they love unconditionally. They're never too busy to listen. I'm sure they don't normally understand what you're going through, but somehow they always seem to offer the perfect sort of comfort at the perfect time. I think they would be considered one of God's little mercies. And they're SOOO adorable.

This little girl is dynamite. I've never been more excited to watch a little one grow up.

So this one's for you Aleah Claire- I love you stinkerpot.