Little things to remember

Little Zoe,

Here are a few of everyday scenes to remember:

We were having dinner at a friends' house who own a big dog that loves to eat human food. It was getting late, so while waiting for dinner, I gave you a piece of chicken. You ate it with appetite as you explored your surroundings. The dog, in the meantime was following you around. When you were done, I gave you another piece. The dog snooped closer, and quick as a flash, snatched the chicken from your hand. Shocked, you started crying, "my chicken, my chicken." We held you and explained that the dog was hungry too. Later you were playing with Victor's toys, pretending to make soup. I asked about the ingredients, and whether you added chicken as well.  You said, "no, dog ate chicken."

When you saw the gift I bought for Oona's birthday, you got excited: "open! open!" you said. I explained that it was for Oona, and I knew you understood, but you kept insisting with that little smile of yours that I open the box. As a kid, I remember buying gifts for friends' birthdays, and wanting to keep it. I figured most kids are the same. When you insisted, I pulled out a second box, with the same toy, and gave you your gift. You were happy. Later I learned that Charlotte's mom did the same.

On Charlotte's birthday I asked if you wished your friend a happy birthday. You faced Charlotte, and started singing "Happy birth day to Charlotte." Charlotte's mom and I were spellbound at how beautifully you sang the song. We went quiet and listened to you, teary eyed.

When I had a surgery, Papa brought you to the hospital after daycare. When you saw me, you understood it was serious, but you weren't scared. You just wanted to be close to me. I explained that I was hurting, and that I had a booboo. At night you both stated in the room with me. In the morning, I woke up to your voice calling "mammina, mammina" and your foot steps, running toward me. You got off your bed, climbed up next to me, cuddled, and fell asleep again.