Most two and a half year olds are cute and adorable. Many of them are so smart you would think they are little adults.

Asha came to our day care center after she had open heart surgery. She was very little, very petite, with pale, almost alabaster skin, and she had extremely long blonde hair. Along with her beauty, she was extremely smart. She definitely knew her own mind, and was very opinionated, to say the least.

Jason, was a little African American boy who was the same age as Asha. His mother worked across the street from our day care center. One of her co-workers suggested that she put Jason in our center. The co-worker had a daughter who attended our Summer Camp program and she loved it. She assured Jason’s mother that all the staff were very attentive to all the children and their needs, and he would be safe with us.

The first time Jason came to visit, he joined right in a circle and played a musical game with children his own age. A few days later his mother enrolled him in the center and Jason began his day with us. When his mother left, the tears began. We were all very understanding. This was his first time away from his mom. So I, being mother to them all, held him and consoled him all throughout the day.

Hours went by and the tears didn’t stop. His heart was broken when his mother left. We were all strangers to him. His sobs tore at all our souls. He felt completely abandoned. No reassuring from any of the staff members mattered to him. Then something truly beautiful happened.

Asha came over to me while I was still holding Jason. She said “Miss Carole, Jason needs me to make him feel better!”

I told her that I thought she was right, and that Jason needed a beautiful little angel to kiss away his tears and make him feel all better.

Asha leaned over and kissed his cheek, right where a tear was rolling down his face and she said “Don’t you worry, I am your angel. “I will take care of you”.” Don’t cry, we all love you”.

Jason looked up at me, tears still running down his cheeks. I assured him that it was alright to go with Asha. His little angel would take care of him.

Asha walked him to the bathroom, washed his face, and took him by the hand into her little group.

That was the beginning of a friendship that lasted for years to come. Asha and Jason became an inseparable team.

“And a Child Shall Lead Them”

Carole Devecka – taken from “God Given Daisies” CaroleDevecka@comcast.net www.sfpnn.com/carole_devecka.htm