*sigh*

So I went to the tail end of Kris Vallotton at the Vineyard tonight (my old church/stomping grounds)... I got to see all sorts of folks I hadn't seen in forever, and it was a good feeling seeing them all. I got there just as things had mostly disbursed... then Kris took the mic again, and they did another bit/round of prophetic words.

Anywho, after they finished up, I got up to say hi [specifically] to someone I'd seen as I went to sit with folks from my own (current) church body. As I walked down the main/center aisle, Ella came running, rounding the corner, headed straight towards me with a beaming glee! She threw her head back looking up at me, with lovely gaps where teeth once were, "Hi!"
She threw her arms open, "Hi Beautiful!" I gushed.
Just as suddenly, she was in my arms, and working her way into a full hold/hug. "Where have you been all this time!?" she asked, holding tightly.

It was all I had within me not to just bawl on the spot... even without her words, her embrace had me from the get-go. She can do that to me, bring me right back to me; with a simple look, a short touch, or just her words... I'm joyous mush! I can remember tough times in my life, when she was just an infant... holding her, made everything 'better'.

I couldn't tell you how long she held on tonight, but I won't soon forget it, nor the feeling. Nor will I discard her obviously running about, toting her siblings back to me, in 'see, it really is her'ness. So sweet/precious.

I miss that. *tears well up, again*