and then she smiled at me

Something wonderful happened today.  I was (finally) able to go and visit with some beautiful little people that I have been wanting to meet for some time now.

The visit went well.  The girls I went with visit frequently and have built relationships here.  I was surprised to find out that the room was airconditioned.  As I might have predicted, the major events of the visit included pee, spit up, and exclamations of, “OH!  HOW ADORABLE!!”  I was trying to carry on a conversation in Zarma and French with one of the nanies when someone pulled on my fular (head wrap).

I looked down, into her beautiful brown eyes, and then she smiled at me.

For the first time, I saw her.  I had been sitting there beside her, but somehow I hadn’t seen her.

We began to play peekaboo with my fular.  She loved to watch it floating above her head.

As I ducked out from behind it, I said her name.  Then, for some reason, I put my hand on her face and loved her with a gentle touch like I have so many times for my own little boys.

In that second, her mouth opened and a small delighted sound came out.  Her eyes grew large and sparkly.

We started the process again.  I hid behind the fular, peeked out saying her name and gently stroked her cheek. Same delighted response.  However this time she began to slowly move her head so that I would not stop touching her sweet cheeks.

Needless to say, I did not move from her side after that.  So hungry for love, this sweet angel of a girl.

On the way home I thought about my new friend and how much she had touched my heart.  I have only met her once.  How much more does my Savior love her.  How much more does my Keeper watch over her.  He says it plainly.