Clarity

All morning Janie has been playing with her purses. She has two: one with a big pink flower, and one that looks like a fluffy Pooh-bear face.

First, she stands in front of her bedroom mirror looking at her cute self with a purse hanging on each arm. Then she runs to stand in front of my bedroom mirror to look at her cute self with a purse hanging on each arm. Then she runs to the living room to do a little dance with a purse hanging on each arm. And repeat. And repeat.

Then she walked up to me, with a very expectant look on her face, and did the sign for 'mouse'.

I said, "Oh, honey, that's not a mouse. You have a big pink flower and a Pooh-bear."

Again the sign for 'mouse'.

"Baby, did you see a mouse? If there is a mouse in this house I will totally freak. Why are you signing 'mouse'?"

Furiously signing 'mouse'.

"Yes, sweetheart, I see that you are signing 'mouse'. I mean, I know that I'm a natural blonde. But really, I'm not getting this."

And then, I'm not sure, but I think she rolled her eyes. Then, a very slow and deliberate sign for 'mouse'.

"Janie, honey, mama is so sorry. I can tell that you are really trying to tell me something. But I'm just not understanding. Gosh, that must be really frustrating."

She looked at me with an exasperated look, put down her purses and walked into her room. I stood in the hallway feeling a little bit like the worst mother ever. I prayed for understanding. I prayed for her voice to miraculously begin working right now. I prayed that she wouldn't remember this moment.

Then Janie returned, carrying her current most-favorite-book-in-the-whole-world, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. She pointed at Lilly on the cover of the book.

Lilly is a mouse. Carrying a purse.

Ooohhhh.

So we sat on the floor in the hallway and read all about Lilly and her purple plastic purse. And we laughed about silly mommy who wasn't able to see the dancing, purse-holding Lilly standing right in front of her.

Thank you Janie for not giving up!