Nothing profound today, just an old journal entry:

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Eliana had a hard time sleeping tonight. She crept downstairs to my office, cozy in her winter fleece pajamas, already dressed for PJ Day at school tomorrow. With Jewel over her mouth she said she was having a hard time sleeping as she crawled into my lap, illuminated by the white glow of my laptop. I cradled her in my arms like a baby, rocked back and forth a bit in my office chair. Hair unbrushed, her sweet face smelled of sugar cookies. I asked if she would like me to come and be with her while she tried to sleep, she nodded and slipped off my lap. I followed her upstairs to her room as she happily climbed into bed.

I stroke her hair and kissed her forehead when suddenly she burst out laughing, her eyes squeezed towards shut with laughter, her smile wide. “Remember that time I slapped your face?! The was so funny, but I’m sure it was painful for you.” We both burst into giggles and I gave her kisses and hugs.

My sister’s house burnt down today. Not all of it, but enough to lose most everything inside. Eliana looked at me and said it was sad that the fire had ruined Gabe’s house. She was sad for his stuffed animals and the rats. “They must have burnt to dust” she said, holding her stuffed lamb close to her face and kissing its hooves. I looked at her and felt wisdom and and something meaningful, far beyond her years looking back at me. I kissed her goodnight and told her I would check on her in ten minutes to see if she had fallen asleep, “that should be long enough” she said as she rolled over and closed her eyes.