A few years ago, my daughter was planning a trip to stay with her Auntie Karen (whom Baby Girl all but worshipped) for a whole week. This would be the first time she away from home for so long without me, and I was having a little trouble gearing up for the separation. A couple of days before the Big Trip, Auntie Karen called Baby Girl to talk about all the fun things they would do together. Of course, my intake of the conversation was all one-sided, listening to Baby Girl chatting away, but it went something like this:

"Great! ... Wow! ... I can't wait! ... Can I come tomorrow instead?" (By this time, I was beginning to simmer, slowly...nothing I do ever sounds so fun ...) then -- *deep, heavy sigh* (and in a very weary voice) -- "I'll go see Batman with you, Auntie Karen, but I don't want to watch it with you Forever!" My heart was instantly lightened ...