Ukraine Adoption

busy bees and bee stings

In the dark of the early morning, there was a quick knock on our bedroom door. I jumped out of bed still half asleep and darted across the room to open the door. There stood little Tara, holding her stuffed dolphin and a scared expression. I whispered quickly, What is it? What's wrong?
"I had a bad dream," she wailed. I hugged her as I escorted her back to her room. She fell fast asleep under an extra blanket, my hand rubbing her small back.

On the way to school, she told Austin about her bad dream. "It was about a bear and you and me Austin," she said, as though she was telling a scary story around a campfire. "We were in a cave."

Much later that day, John told me Tara's preschool teacher called: Tara was stung by a bee! Is she OK? I asked, trying not to sound hysterical. When did it happen, is she still crying??!! Are you going to pick her up right now??! Tell me the details! He didn't have any, really.

And at the same time, Austin was having his first piano lesson at our house with a new teacher, and we didn't want to leave him home alone with someone we didn't know all that well (hey, we read the papers). So what's a dad to do? Finally after the lesson, John scurried out to pick up Tara.

On my way home from work, I called Austin: Tell me about your piano lesson! Did you like the teacher? What's he like? Did you learn anything yet? Was he nice? (I think "unh, I don't know," was the answer for all of the above. Sigh.

John got on the phone. OK, how is Tara? I asked. He says, "she's fine." Where did she get stung? On the leg? The arm? "I don't know," John said. Like father....

I couldn't take it any more: Put Tara on! MUST HAVE INFORMATION!

"Hello Mommy, I got stung by a bee on my thumb today. I cried for 15 minutes. I got ice on it. When are you coming home?" (Her boo-boo report actually said she "cried for 10 seconds...she was very brave.")

Very soon, I told her, I just want to make sure you are OK. What did you do at school today?

"We played outside, we went to the gym and exercised, I made you a drawing, I played with Mallory." OK, I'll see you soon Tara. "No wait Mommy, I want to tell you something else...." and she went on and on in that sweet little cheerful voice. Ah, someone who likes to share details AND talk on the phone. A girl after my own heart.