Jaella gets a grin

Little girls are made of daisies and butterflies and soft kitty cat purrs
And all the precious memories of times that once were.

Little girls are made of angel's wings and giggles and a firefly's glow
And all the happy feelings, deep inside, that we all know.

Little girls are made of cinnamon and bubbles and fancy white pearls
And snowflakes and rainbows and ballerina twirls.

Little girls are made of sunshine and cupcakes and fresh morning dew,
And these are the reasons, little one, why everyone loves you.

My daughter does not smile often. She is often worried and suspicious. She demands order in her world, from the way she keeps her ribbons to touching the bottom step with her fire finger every time she steps off our wagon. Her trust is not easily earned and once broken nearly impossible to repair.

Much rested on the pretty boots that Jaella made for her. Lei was distrustful at first but I sat quietly with her, showing her all the pretty details, all the thought about her specifically had gone into those boots.

"There will not be a great many times in your life when someone will put so much thought into something for you." I told her. It was an honest, if somewhat harsh lesson. Lei nodded though. She was watching closely these days. Watching and making judgements.

I showed her how to tie on her colorful ribbons. Before the love wars we had only had a handful.. now we had a basketful. I showed her how to change the tassels and let her show Also and Tug who, helpfully oo'd and ah'd appropriately.

Finally, hopping down into the dirt, Lei grinned at me. "Jaella is a good boot maker. She will do." She declared before running off to the stream to show the other children.

I smiled watching her go. All was right with the world.

Except my hidden, secret, heart.