A little girl was playing with her doll while her mother was writing letters. After a while, Mother called little Nancie and took her on her lap.
“I am so glad, Mama,” said her little one. “I wanted to love you so much.”
“Did you, darling?” said mother tenderly. “I am so glad my little girl loves me so. Were you lonely when I was writing? You and your dolly seemed to be having a happy time together.”
“Yes, Mamma, but I got tired of loving her.”
“And why?”
“Oh, because she never loves me back.”
“And that is why you love me?” “That is one why, Mamma; but not the first one or the best.”
“What is the first one and the best?”
“Why, Mamma, don’t you guess?” and the little blue eyes were very bright and earnest. “It’s because you loved me when I was too little to love you back; that’s why I love you so.”
ML-04/03/1966