Conversation in the car with Alex after picking her up from school earlier this week:

Alex: Mom?

Me: Child?

Alex: Manish doesn't like me.

Me: Why do you think he doesn't like you?

Alex: Because he's mean to me and he tells lies to me and he's not nice to me.

Me: Hm. Well, you know what, Al?

Alex: What, Mom?

Me: Sometimes, people aren't very nice because they feel like people don't love them. So they're mean because they figure that if no one loves them, they might as well be mean.

Alex: That's why they're mean?

Me: Yup. And sometimes, the best thing you can do to a mean person is love them. You just love them and love them and love them, and then they don't have any choice but to be nice.

Pause.

Alex: Mom?

Me: Yeah, kid?

Alex: I'm going to love Manish tomorrow.

Me: Al, I think that's a great idea.

Alex: Because, Mom? You know what, Mom? You know what?

Me: What's that?

Alex: I'm going to love Manish because love is the coolest thing ever.

Me: That's great, Alex. I think so, too.

Alex: For real.

* * * * * * *

Late last year I mentioned that I have a friend, H, who is battling leukemia in a Florida hospital, away from her family in Trinidad. Today, I got some bad news: while she's found a bone marrow match, she ended up contracting a serious infection a few weeks ago, and is now in ICU, slipping in and out of a coma. Her children remain in Trinidad, but her husband is traveling back and forth to be by her side as much as possible.

There are some signs that she might be improving, but right now, friends and family are merely holding their breath. Naturally, I'm feeling a bit helpless, here; but I figured that the least I could do is ask you very kind souls if you would take 5 seconds after you read this and send loving thoughts to my friend H in Florida. I realize that you don't know her and you may never know her; however, I do most sincerely believe in the power of love and the collective conscience, and I'm convinced that love can conquer all.

For real.


Song: All good things, by The Weepies