I was asked to substitute in the nursery today. Of course, I said yes, trying to sound joyful about it. But the truth was I hate to miss Relief Society and all the wonderful lessons in there. But I wore my most comfortable dress, kicked my shoes off when I walked in and sat down on the floor to see what I could do to help.
Tessa was wanting mommy. So I distracted her with the little kitchen set, and a baby doll to feed. She was willing to play, but only half heartedly. And every now and then she would look at me and say "Mommy". We then moved to the rocking chair to read a book. Now she settled into my lap seeming to accept it as a substitute for her mothers. Then the bubbles came out and off my lap she hopped to play with the bubbles seeming as happy as ever.
Next came Marie, who is over two years old and still has to have mom in the nursery with her. I coaxed her on to my lap and began to read a book to her. We were finding the puppy dog and the cat on each page. When she finally started to respond to my questions and tell me what the puppy said, I said Good Job Marie and little face just lit up with excitement. So on we went through the book, and now she began to tell me about her pens with the cows and horses and pigs in them. Now she is just beaming every time we find something new in the book. Mean while mom has left the nursery. She then was able to jump off my lap and play with the parachute all the while smiling and smiling.
Izzy: Isabella was also thinking she needed mommy. Her eyes just lit up when we sang wheels on the bus and Daddies on the bus go read read read. She then started jabbering about her daddy. Her sparkling eyes and big huge dimples made me smile, and see that there is light in the nursery. The children just needed to feel safe and secure and that someone cared. And I needed to remember that through little children we can find simple and uncomplicated light.
