Tender Memory

I frequently remember this and finally thought today of writing it down. I'm not sure why but I can remember it so vividly:

When Gentry was only months old I took her and the other kids to Grandma Sylva's to watch them while I went to the nearby thrift store in Ontario. When I returned to pick them up Gentry was and had been VERY upset. Sylva told me she was fine until about the last 20 minutes. There was nothing anyone, including A.Laura, could do to comfort her. I remember she was wearing a little onesie with pink and red cherries and pink pants. I took her and she nestled on the crook between my left shoulder and collarbone (note: my kids NEVER snuggled and slept on me - maybe this is why I remember it so well). She was still sniffling from crying so hard but instead of resting on me and going to sleep she just stared at me. She laid there on my should as I rocked in Grandpa's chair with the saddest little eyes that told me how much she had missed me. How much she longed for me. How much it hurt her to be separated. I looked at her as she stared back at me, in between sniffles, and just relished in the experience. I am glad that I have this tender memory of her.