I sat in the play area, and I wondered what she would do first.

Would she climb the big foam tree?

Run across the bridge at top speed?

Jump from the top of the oversized rhino down to the ground?

I know she would idolize the big girls, try to do what they did.

Would she be as tall as that child?

As strong as that one?

Would she be fearless?

Of course she would.

I closed my eyes, and I could see her.

Laughing, chasing her friends, holding their hands.

She would come over to me, with cheeks flushed from play, and ask for five more minutes.

She would say “I love you mama.”

She would kiss her sister, and run off again

to climb the trees of my imagination.