On a rainy day, I took Ellie to McDonald's so she could burn off energy on the germy slide. Eww, but I knew it would tire her out enough for a much needed afternoon nap. Before I could gather up her discarded shoes, she was in another little girl's face - I mean, like, really in her face. Then I hear her say "Hi, I'm Ellie, want to be my best friend?", followed by a tearful dash into my arms. "Mommy, she said no". I was as crushed as she. After about 10 seconds of comforting my rejected child, she was back in the germ factory. From the bubble in the spaceship, I hear a very loud "Faith, it's me, Ellie, come be my best friend". Happiness and screeching ensued. When it was time to go, she had the over tired, over stimulated fit. Wailing, she cried, "I can't leave my best friend. I'll never see her again. Foreeeeever! I am so sad". Huge tears. I gave her a mini dum-dum and peace was restored. After school the next day, I asked her if she'd seen her best friend Faith. She said, "who?".

I love that she is so free with her hugs, love, happiness and sadness. It breaks my heart when she is sad and fills it with joy when she is happy. Although I hope she can hold on to that innocent approach to everything in her path, I will always be there for the 'after' hug. I worry, of course, of how life's disappointments will change her as she grows.