To My Sunday School Kids: Part Four

H*nn*h: Oh the stories that you carry around in those dark pixie eyes of yours. I only wish that you were around more often, so that, a detail or an event at a time, we could draw them out. Stick around long enough and we'll manage it. You've already discovered that it's more than legal to tell Jessica a story at the same time that three other people are telling stories. Take advantage of that. I have enough ears to share, but they like to be kept busy. We miss you when you're not here, and your quiet watching gives some of the boys permission to watch quietly as well. We laugh a lot and we run a lot, but this is also a place where it's okay to be broken and hurt and scared.


*ddi: I'm pretty sure that you managed to tell me stories for an hour and a half at the 4th and 5th grade sleepover without ever stopping to pause for breath. We've got some talkers in our group, but you could win prizes. Your imagination and memory when you're telling stories are amazing, and there are moments when you remind me of the little girl from, "Bridge to Terabithia," creating entire worlds inside of your head that are so real that we almost feel like we could touch them too. When you write your first book, let me know. I'll buy it.

Em*ly: You, child, win prizes for the most flirtatious comments directed towards M*teo. I might just help your mama build a tower to keep you in when you get older, so that you're well away from the temptations of any boys! Every once in a while, you forget yourself, and those dancing, dark eyes of yours get serious as you let down your mask for a few seconds. You can't see it, but those are the moments when those boys who you chase so loudly actually want to be around you. They like the reminder that you're human, that you're part of this crazy, confused, desperate for love family, just like the rest of us.