Your First Tears

I'm taking a break from grading English Composition II term papers to record what I've just witnessed...

We are at school.  You've been coming to classes with me while I teach, since your sisters aren't at home for weeks at a time this summer.  You sit in the back of the class, on a computer, with your headphones on, watching Disney films, primarily.

You came up to me, just now, while I was grading, with tears falling down your cheeks.  I had no idea what was going on or what had happened.  I hadn't heard you fall or anything...

"What's wrong, baby?  Are you okay?" I questioned, ascertaining immediately that something was wrong--you were crying, after all.

"I'm watching this VeggieTales show," you began.  "There's a child from Africa, and she doesn't have anything, and nothing to eat!"  Your big brown eyes were full of tears.  You wiped them as you talked to me.

And it dawned on me at once:  "Oh my.  You're no longer crying over boo-boos.  You're now crying over emotional content."

Oh my, indeed.

I've never seen you cry because of a show's content.  I've seen you laugh--you love humor and understand it!--many, many times.  In fact, one of your favorite shows to watch is Full House, a comedy.

But this is the first time I've watched you cry over a show.

And I am reminded of how quickly you are growing now, right before my eyes, and daily!

I so love you, sissy.  With all of my heart!

Mommy