In Her Smile

Do you ever have those moments that are so surreal that you feel as if you're being wrapped in ribbons of happiness and sealed with forever?

She came into my room, this little 9 year-old sister of mine, and asked me if I would put her to bed. Since I was only surfing on FB and talking to someone, I said sure, mindful of how few times I have left to do so, and how quickly she is growing up.

I caught her before she had walked out of my room, swooping her up into my arms, so that I was carrying her across-the-threshold style. Making our way down the hallway and into her tiny pink 'n purple room, I set her down on her bed and waited while she arranged her blankets just so. I lent a hand covering up her window for her (at least I'm taller than her!), and then sat back down as she snuggled down.

We started talking, but soon it evolved into me trying to make her break a solemn face. Which, you can guess, soon led into a tickle fight. That led to name-calling... or, more specifically, nut-calling. I called her a nut, she called me a walnut, I responded with the specification of peanut, she thought awhile and then shot back "Pecan!", to which I replied with "Pistachio!"... and then I won because she couldn't think of anymore and I still had "hazelnut" in my arsenal.

And she smiled. You should know, Boo, that you are absolutely beautiful. Big blue eyes, honey-blonde hair, little nose, a light sprinkling of freckles, and an amazing smile. And that's why I turned serious all of a sudden and said, "Never lose that smile, Boo." And you smiled back.

We're so much a like, and I want you to learn from a young age that you need to be who you are, no matter what the world says, or the image that is projected that you are supposedly supposed to live up to. It took me so long to learn that lesson, and if I can make it easier for you, I will.

I hope so much for your life, Boo. I'm so glad that you "like that I love you", and that you want to Skype when I'm gone.

We moved on to a touching-the-other-person's-nose battle and ended it with me holding her arms down while I prayed for her future and for a peaceful night.

Then I let go of her arms, unwrapped her feet from around my waist, attempted to close the door and booked it down the hallway to my mom's room, yelling "Sanction!" and hiding behind J.

We were both ordered back to her room, and I finally succeeded in putting her to bed.

And that one moment is cemented with her smile.