"I Saw You Today"

I saw you today. I saw your face leap into the biggest smile. I watched you take a chance. You stood tall and brave. Your eyes sparkled and shone with anticipation. You jumped to your feet and ran as fast as your tiny legs could carry you. You were so thrilled your feet practically skipped on clouds. I watched timidity try to take you over--but you kept going. She didn't see you. She didn't see the way you giggle when you're excited. She didn't notice the way you cupped your tiny hands in front of you and nervously played with each finger. I heard your voice quiver, but then I heard the resilience in your words. You lifted your head and subconsciously shifted from one foot to the other. I know how hard it was, and I know how lonely you felt. She didn't. She didn't see the way the corners of your mouth rise up to your eyes in the widest grin possible. She didn't know you felt so vulnerable and had so much longing. She didn't stop to notice. I was so proud of you today. I was proud of the person you're becoming. I was proud to say you're my daughter. I sat there, and watched you. I watched that smile, as wide as the room, slowly fade. I watched the corners of your mouth melt into a quivering lip. I watched that head, held so high, drop in humiliation and sadness. I heard that voice, that sweet angelic voice, shake and raise in pitch. I saw you giggle no longer in excitement, but in awkward nervousness. I watched the sparkle in your eyes dampen with tears. When your feet shuffled, and you stared at the ground, my tear beat yours to the floor.

"Hello! My name is Macrae!..........Umm...

Friend, what is your name?.....I'm...I'm Macrae

...Will you be my friend?...Hello Friend!

........Friend? ....Umm...I'm Macrae....I...I..."

I saw you stand there, crestfallen when she turned her face from you and walked away. She didn't even answer you. She acted like she couldn't see you, she couldn't hear you. You waited a moment, got up your courage, and tried again. My heart swelled with pride at your integrity. You went back. You could have left. You could have given up. You could have been unkind back. You could have walked away--but not my girl. You went BACK. You came up to her, and found your beautiful smile, and tried again.

"Friend??...Friend, Hello!...

Would you please play with me?

...Friend please don't go!

...Just wait for me!

...Please! I can't keep up! ...Please wait, Friend!

....Please..."

I didn't know what to say to you when you walked, defeated, back to me. Three times times you went up to her, three times you were less sure of yourself, but you dared to hope. "Mommy...she won't be my friend. Why? Why doesn't she like me? I just want a friend. She won't let me play behind her. I can't keep up, and she won't wait for me. Why, Momma?" All I can tell you is I'm proud. I'm so proud that your kindness compels you to not repay cruelty with cruelty. I'm so proud that your courtesy leads you to introduce yourself and smile. I'm proud that your tenacity leads you to not give up. I'm proud that you have endless hope. I'm so proud, Macrae, to call you my daughter. All the little things you said and did, may have gone unnoticed by her, but they didn't go unnoticed. Your Heavenly Father saw you today. I know He smiled through His tears. He wasn't the only one. I saw You today, and I've never been more proud.