Preface:
The small, chime-like giggle of my three year old daughter filled the quiet room, instantly removing me from my depressed mood. I was reading again, which had brought on the fresh wave of tears in the midst of it. Ava toddled up to me and piled into my lap. She wrapped her little arms around my neck and looked me in the eyes with a sad expression.
"Mama, what's the matter?" Her shining beautiful blue eyes held mind in an unbreakable gaze. I'm sure it could send anyone to their knees. "I was just reading a story I wrote a long time ago, sweetie," I replied with loving eyes.
She paused to wipe off the few tears still lingering on my face with her tiny hands.
"I want to hear it!" I hesitated. I didn't think she was ready to hear the story about her father just yet.
"Oh come on Mama, please?" I couldn't ever resist that adorable face of hers. I pulled her down off my lap, pausing to grab my notebook that was sitting on my desk, then walked to her bedroom to read her the story she was asking to hear. I led her to the small rocking chair that sat in the corner of the bedroom, and sat down in it. I waited to begin, allowing her to get comfortable in my lap. I then cleared my throat as I started to open my notebook.