WISHES





I gave her a penny as we stood by the ornate fountain with its arcs of water shooting over the heads of unsuspecting cement horses. She marveled at its shine while I marveled over the year, a decade before she was even born or imagined. She insisted that I make my wish first, which I did in silence.
"Good job wishing, Mommy," she said, and I nodded in agreement--knowing how lucky it is that I have so little left to wish for.
"My turn!" she boomed.
She clutched the penny in both hands, cradling it close to her heart and closing her eyes in concentration. After several deep breaths, she threw it in, crying out,
"My wish is for everyone in the world to be happy!"
The coin gleamed from the dark bottom of the fountain, but she just clapped her hands, said, "I'm so excited for that!" and then followed me away through the parking lot. My eyes blurred with sunglare and fullness just for knowing her...

So, get out there and be happy today. A little girl I love wished it for you...