Katerina

So I'm babysitting a lot today. It's a long day when you spend it with a 7 year old and a 9 year old, but I like these kids enough - and if I'm honest, I like getting paid enough - to do it. Even on a Friday.

Tonight, as we were walking back from dinner, Katerina (7) was walking on a short retaining wall that divided the sidewalk from the street. She was holding my hand and trying to skip without falling off.

"Is this a dream?" she asked.

"No, this is real life. Why would you think it's a dream," I responded.

"Sometimes I just wonder if I'm dreaming."

"Well, would this be a good dream or a bad dream?"

"A Good one."

"What make this dream good?"

"Well, we made cupcakes and went to Buka (cafe for dinner) and dyed Easter eggs and went on a bike ride and fed the ducks at Navy Pier. And you're still here. It's like a have a sister."

I won't soon forget that.