Lost Balloons
Tonight, my daughter lost a balloon. We were at a school activity for my son, and as we prepared to go home, both children begged for a helium-filled balloon. There was only a handful of them left, so we ambled over to the biggest bunch and asked if we could have a couple. The PTA helper smiled and handed me a pair of orange-handled scissors so I could snip off a purple one for Baby Girl and a blue one for Sweet Boy. Both kids squealed with delight as I handed them their balloons and thanked the PTA helper for obliging us. Before we walked away, I turned and bent down to speak seriously to my children. "Okay, guys. If you lose your balloon, we can't come back for another one, so hold on tight. Don't let them float away." This was followed by choruses of, "I won't!" and "I'll hold on super tight!" I smiled and felt a little twinge in my heart as I watched their joy, praying that they could keep hold of these little bits of latex they sud...