A lot can be learned over a stack of pancakes when you’re enjoying them with a nine-year-old. For instance, she is very proud of the fact she is overcoming a learning disability and succeeding in school. She loves math and reading and writes stories. She tells me she’s a “maker”, just like me. This one is like me in so many ways. Demonstrative, emotional, tender hearted, and oh so funny.

As the pancakes slowly disappeared, she started talking about God. We’ve talked about God many times and I am always very careful not to be too pushy about religion. I was scared away from the church around her age. Yesterday was different though. She started talking about Jesus. I asked her who Jesus was. She said “The Son of God. He came here to give us the chance to be as perfect as we can be.” I asked her how she knew about God and Jesus. She said “Nana, I was born knowing them. I’ve ALWAYS known them.” I asked her if she remembered being with them before she came here and she said “No, it doesn’t work that way, Nana. You forget that part when you’re born.” Out of the mouths of babes.

We spent the rest of the meal talking about grief and how it affects people differently. We talked about the waves and how sometimes you’re fine and sometimes you’re not and you never really know when it will bother you. We talked about promises and how from now on, when I’m asked to go do things, I’m going to say how much I’d love to do that and it will depend on how I’m feeling when the time comes. She looked at me with steady eyes and said, “That’s a good idea, Nana. It will keep everyone from being disappointed, including you.” Oh, how I love this kid. She’s my mirror.

Yesterday included a day at the zoo. We rode the train and had lunch outdoors. We came back to cool off and snooze. We finished the day with the BEST barbecue EVER and went swimming. Little ended the night with “This was the best day ever, Nana!” It doesn’t matter to her what we do, she says…as long as she gets to do it with me. Today we ask for travel mercies as we drive back to Colorado.

❤️

“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””

Matthew 19:13-14 NIV

Photo Credit: thehillsbar.com