And, After She Was Gone, Joy Arrived.

I recently went to a tea party at Jack's preschool. It was a party just for Mommas and their preschoolers. They were studying Africa, so they made wooden necklaces for us.

Jack worked so hard on his necklace.

I was so proud of him. He was so proud of him.

So, I asked him to show it to me so I could take a picture of him with his necklace.

And, then this bossy stage Momma rose from within me, wielding her camera and a vision, and started workin' my boy.

"Jack, smile for me and show me your necklace."

"Oooh, that's a great smile, but just smile like you always do."

"Hmm. Well, not so much with your face squished up."

"Ok, how about not such a big smile."

"But, don't close your eyes so much."

At which point, I gave the bossy one a talking to and kicked her to the curb. And realized, for the bazillionth time, that all the coaxing in the world can't produce on the face of a four year-old the look of true joy that naturally comes from within.

So, I knelt down next to him, told him I was sorry, and gave him a smooch. And said, "You smile however you want, bud. And, Momma will take your picture, ok?"

He smiled. And, I clicked.

Joy had arrived.