Im Happy Mom

Alia was a fun-loving five-year-old girl. She was always ready to play, no matter how tired she was. One bright sunny morning, Alia's mother (whose name was Elraya) asked Alia, "Want to go to the park today? We can swing on the swings. Maybe we can visit our favorite tortoise, Friend, in the petting zoo, too."

Alia clapped her hands, "Yes, let's go to the park and see Friend, too!"

After they ate a delicious breakfast of fruit and cereal, mother and daughter were ready to go. Elraya pushed her daughter very high on the swing. Alia loved it; she could reach the treetops with her feet. Mom also encouraged her to push and pump higher and higher on the swing on her own.

Alia fed Friend, the tortoise, with some green grass and kale leaves. They both noticed that Friend was getting very big, and Alia was a little worried that he might walk on her toes.

It was a great time and a great day, but it wasn't over yet! On the way home, Elraya bought Alia an ice cream cone. She got her very best first favorite: vanilla with M&M candies in it. She tried her best to eat it quickly enough so that the ice cream didn't melt onto her clothes. That was hard because it was a very warm day.

When the sun went down, Elraya said, "Time for bed, get your pajamas on and I'll tuck you in." Of course, Alia, who could never admit that she was tired, said, "I don't want to go to bed!" When she saw her mom's stern look, she knew her mom was right and put her pajamas on. "Mom, I'm ready to be tucked."

Elraya pulled the covers up to Alia's chin. "Didn't we have such a nice day at the park and petting zoo?"

"Yes, Mom, and Friend is getting so big!"

"Yes, he is, and he will keep growing and live a very long, long time. We had such fun today. Did that make you very happy?" asked Elraya.

"It was very nice, Mom," answered Alia.

"And didn't it make you very happy?" asked Elraya.

Alia smiled. "Mom, it was a very nice day, but I'm already happy!" Alia clapped her hands.

"Good night, my love," said Elraya mom.

"Good night, my love," said Alia daughter.

The next day, Alia got up early and dressed herself. "Mom, what are we doing today? Do I have to go to school?"

"No, Alia, there is no school today. I have some sad news. Grandpa is very sick. We are going to visit him and give him a lot of our love."

Alia could see that her mom was sad. Grandpa sick? How could Grandpa be sick? He always played with her when she visited. They liked to dance and play the piano together.

When they got to Grandpa's house, Alia ran in and said, "Grandpa! Grandpa!" She wanted to jump into his arms like she always did, but Grandpa was in bed. He looked very tired and pale. "Grandpa, come on, let's play."

Elraya said, "Grandpa can't play, he doesn't feel well."

Grandpa opened his eyes, "It's my girls and my Alia," his voice was just a whisper.

"Grandpa, get up!" Alia insisted.

Elraya mom said, "Alia, let's just sit and visit with Grandpa. Tell him you love him."

"I do, Grandpa, I do love you, but Grandpa, get up!"

Just then, Grandma came in and said, "Alia, let's go out and play. I'll push you on the swing."

"Okay, Grandma."

Elraya said, "Give Grandpa a kiss first, okay?"

Alia kissed her grandpa and then whispered something into his ear. She had a big smile and a twinkle in her eye when she did this.