The One-Cent Smile

When my mom was still in town, we took a trip to Heidelberg to show her the famous city.  Although the castle was impressive, one small act by one small girl left a greater impression. 

Early that morning while waiting for our second train, Macy was estatic to find a penny.  She has been lucky that way since we've arrived, somehow finding coins in places like playgrounds or parking lots where many people pass by, but don't ever seem to notice.

 We had already been to two places that week with one of those wishing wells where kids gather around, let their coins go and watch them go around and around until they drop, finally, into a hole for some noble cause like feeding the monkeys at the zoo.

Macy asked me to keep her coin in my pocket for the next time we came across a wishing well.

The day passed with a train ride up the mountain, a picnic lunch, a tour of the castle, and a stop at the bakery.  Once we decided it would be much too late to try to eat dinner after we got home, we rushed to grab some "German hot dogs" at the train station.  We were stressed to order, stuff our faces, and get on the train (no food allowed) in time.

While the rest of the group ran ahead to cross the street, Macy tugged on my arm and asked me if she could have her penny.

"Why do you need that now?" I asked, not very nicely.

"For that man."

"What man?"

"Over there," she said pointing, 

"With that cup."

I hadn't even seen him.

She marched over, right up to him, and dropped her prized possession into his cup.  I was blessed to witness his smile, lighting up his whole face as if he'd been personally visited by an angel.

In a way, I guess he was.

 

From the day we got to take this girl home from the NICU 6 years ago, we have been greatly blessed.

Last week, I had a meeting with her kindergarten teacher who had an entire page filled with a list of what Macy does well and how great she is.

To name a few:

Macy gets along with everyone--the adults, the little kids and the oldest ones.  She is friends with everyone and everyone wants to be her friend.  She helps people when they are hurt.

She has a good brain.  She has good ideas and the other children like them.  She is creative.  She loves to draw and is always making things.

She has learned German far better and far faster than most kids ever do.  You do realize that, Frau Watson?

She is ready for school.  She's good with numbers and letters, and likes to play with the language.

She knows the rules and follows them.

She's confident.  She knows how to tell people when she doesn't want something, but always in a nice way.

So, besides growing straight out of all her pants and shirts this year, she has grown in many other amazing ways!

I think of how difficult it was for her in the beginning, and how soon after she told me, "Mom, it's OK if I can't talk to all the kids yet.  We can still be friends, even without talking."

We are grateful for our Little Miss Sunshine.

Happy Birthday!

love, Mom :)