Lia

Last summer, we noticed a girl named Lia, on Brady's soccer team. She was quite a good athlete. This winter when I volunteered for the Winter Sports Skating program at the elementary school, Brady and Lia reconnected and became good friends. While most of the other girls were engaging in typical behavior -- chasing, teasing, taunting, tattling -- Lia skated up to Brady and said, "Hey Brady, wanna play?" They've been great friends ever since. Along the way, I've developed a nice friendship with Lia's mother, Sue. Sue is a chef, who enjoys hosting her friends for a "girls' night" whenever Lia's dad is out-of-town. It was my privilege to be included in one such dinner this spring! Lia and Brady skied and learned judo together this winter and rode bikes and explored together all spring and summer. This summer we've had Lia over a number of times while her parents worked ... she's easy to have and is kind to Connor and Maggie. Friday afternoon, Sue, Lia, Brady and I went over to Jackson to visit the Museum of Wildlife Art (good Maurice Sendak exhibit) and have dinner. It was a fun outing ... and kind of a "good-bye."