June 21st, 2001

I took Adam to Wal-Mart today. Not really sure why, as I had already given him his presents. There wasn’t a sense of urgency that said I had to go. I just felt a mild, but definite desire that willed me to go. I’m not an impulse shopper, which should have given me my first clue. It didn’t, so totally unaware, I fastened Adam into his car seat and off to Wal-Mart we went.

I hadn’t noticed the skies when we left the apartment, but when we got to Wal-Mart, I saw how dark the clouds were. I knew we were going to get wet before the shopping trip was over. Adam knew it as well and was more than a little bit upset at the thought of getting rained on. This is the same little boy who loves to play in the sprinkler and resulting pools of not too clean water.

I’d been through this with him many times before. Each time, I’ve told him, “Its’ just water, Adam. Its’ just water!” Each time, he told me, “But I’m getting WET!” This wasn’t stated in a calm manner. It was more like a cat facing the dreadfulness of being touched with a drop of water. He pretty much sounded like one too, resulting in my running and carrying this child who, any other time, was perfectly capable of splashing through deep puddles on his own. I really wasn’t looking forward to repeating this exercise. Considering he now weighs 40 pounds, it really was exercise!

I opened my mouth and was surprised to hear myself say, “The raindrops are angel kisses! Cassy is giving you kisses for your birthday!” The little boy who, just seconds before expected me to make a mad dash to the safety of the store less he became so much as damp, now stood there, waiting for the raindrops to touch his outstretched arms. His birthday gift of angel kisses. It was a gift that could come only from Cassy.

Within a few seconds, Mother Nature complied. As the raindrops slowly and softly fell on his skin, his face lit up in a huge smile.

“Look, Grandma! Cassy is giving me LOTS of angel kisses for my birthday!”

No gift was ever so priceless as angel kisses from Cassy. What made it even more special...was she gave them to me too.