Empathy...

...of the greatest kind.

Yesterday morning, on the way to see the beloved Miss Jen (Corene's OT), I was trying to balance too many things. Taz, the diaper bag, a book, my purse, my coffee...

My coffee...

My coffee, that had been handed me by Mocha Man only moments before I walked out the door, that even had a wee bit of whipped cream on top. Oh, how excited I was to drink that coffee.

My coffee, that, in a terrible turn of events, slipped out of my hand and in slow motion, crashed explosively on the ground next to my car.

"Oooooooooooooohhhhh!" I exclaimed, as I stomped my foot. Giving my very best pouty face, I added the choice word, "POOP!" (That's Jennyese for swearing).

I looked up at Ava's face, poking out of the car door.

The girl's eyes were tearing up.

She looked... so. very. sad.

"Oh, Moooooommmmmmmy."

"Poop", she added, in the most pitiful, sweet, sad tone ever. Then she looked at me and matched my pouty lip.

I laughed so hard. That girl has such empathy. She was genuinely hurting for me.

She is surely the offspring of A Latte Talk, no?

And you know what? As my friend Jenna pointed out, a little empathy goes a long way. I giggled about her teary eyes all morning. I wasn't upset about the coffee at all.

I did make another latte when I got home, though.

Of course.

Happy Birthday, Ava

My dear, sweet, spunky Ava -

What a bright light you are to our family! You're 4 years old! I don't know what Daddy and I would do without you. You are charming, you are talkative, you are so so very naughty.

Yes, that's right, I said naughty. You push buttons and boundaries as if it is a commandment in the Bible.

You are emotional, sensitive, dare I say Melancholy? You come by that honestly, both Mommy and Daddy are a bit melancholy. We love that about you. I love that you cry when you see others hurting. I love that you have so many feelings in your little heart.

God has given you a unique and beautiful spirit, made in His image. You are beautiful. You are loved, albeit imperfectly by us, you are loved perfectly by God.

You make us laugh. Laugh so hard our tummies hurt. You have a way of saying things that just sends me into a complete giggle-fest. I love being your Mommy!

More than anything else, Daddy and I pray that you will grow up to be a little girl who is passionate about your Savior. That you will feel the pain of someone who does not know Him, and reach out in love. That is my prayer for you.

As you enter this big new age of 4, may God bless you. May God etch His life in your heart, may he soften you to love Him.

Bring it on, age 4. Spunk, naughtiness, boundary-pushing, and tears. Hugs, kisses, smiles, belly laughs, wide-eyed learning, and love.

Happy Birthday, Ava-Beva. I love you.