Hello Sunshine.

An adorable preschooler from sunny California who adores her big sister, while the rest of us…well, she’s still thinking about it.

I love this girl so much, in part because she is a diamond in the rough. Her story, even at such a young age, has already included some amazing miracles that brought her to exactly the right family. And although she might have a tough exterior to strangers, once you get into her good graces, she loves so well and so much. That tough shield protects a beautiful, and soft, heart.

I get to visit Sunshine, and her older sister Bright Eyes once or twice a year when my toes need the sand and my heart needs their home. And just in case you’re wondering: their parents are not movie stars or hippies; these are my nicknames for them.

I first met Sunshine when she was a joyful little baby who was days away from crawling. A few times, her parents were be out of the room and she got onto her hands and knees, ready to take off. I warned her that I’d have to push her over if she crawled without her parents around. I’m pretty sure Sunshine remembered those words because I didn’t get into those good graces until I apologized two years later. Then all was forgiven. Clearly babies know and remember more than you think.

As a non-parent, I’m so thankful to have little ones like Sunshine in my life. To love and be loved by them. And to learn completely unexpected lessons. Like how much fun a hole in the sand can be.

See you in February Sunshine.

#52sparks is my year-long writing series based on an art prompt challenge. The title is inspired by a quote from Star Wars: The Last Jedi: “We are the spark, that will light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down” (Poe Dameron). The spark that lights a fire to toast a marshmallow or to ravage a forest begins in the space of an inch. So just imagine what hundreds of inches and words can do.