I really, really have to pee. I started to notice it was getting pretty bad halfway home on the school bus. The bumping around that is mostly unnoticeable when your bladder is empty certainly becomes problematic with a full bladder. I cross my little legs and shift my school books. The bus lurches to a halt and I step down to the street.

I had the kind of relationship with my mother that many daughters only dream of. Wemaintained a deep connection my entire life. She told me that even as a tiny child when Ireached out to touch the stove, I paused to look at her first and all she had to do was think for me to stop and I withdrew my hand. I was wild, certainly her daughter, and yet she never clipped my wings.

Each person you see carries their story just waiting to be told.
If you allow curiosity to guide you and there is gentleness in your voice you may be lucky enough to learn that story.
And if you are luckier still, some magic may unfold.

When Josh was just 7, he was incredibly shy. I mean the kind of shy that made it difficult for him to look a new person in the eye let alone have anything to say. He was a beautiful, blonde-headed soul with a big, empathic heart and the world was a harsh place to be for one so tender.