She was tired. I was dealing with this poison ivy nuisance. The last thing I wanted to do was go to the roller skating fund raiser night for her school. But I relented. Yes, I can say no, but yesterday her sad face won.

She had fun, and we returned home for dinner and a bit of a TV show that we like to watch together – ‘Impractical Jokers.’

Finally, later than planned, she was in bed with her eyes closed.

I sat down next to her and stroked her forehead.

Me – “Do you feel comfortable?”

She nodded yes

Me – “Do you feel safe?”

Again, she nodded yes

Me – “Do you feel loved?”

Another nod

Me – “Do you feel excited about what’s to come in your life and the life you have now?”

She nodded yes

Me – “Good. Love you. Night.”

Of course, I already knew the answers to those questions, but I just wanted to make another one of the countless imprints we parents make where we affirm that deep sense of being safe and loved amidst the ups and downs of parenting and daily life.

So, I guess yesterday did go according to plan – the bigger plan.