We were outside, and looking up at sky while trying to think of right way to answer, I found myself staring at a brilliantly starry night. And my answer came to me... "Sweetie, I love you more than all stars in sky!" She quickly gazed up at beautiful glitter above, and I could see immediately how satisfied she was with my answer.

In recent years, we have repeated this conversation many times - whenever night sky cooperates, and even on cloudy days if she seems to need a reminder. She also has started to respond with her own ideas... she told me recently that she loves me more than all trees in world, and also water in ocean.

In today's world, parents are rushing through each and every day, driving back and forth, going to work, going to school, attending sporting events, going on errands, cleaning house, and an ongoing list of other activities that keep us busy. We tell ourselves that we are doing most of it for our families, for our children. But what they need most of all from us is to know that we care, to be reminded. Take time to do that - right now!

I have been living in a prolonged version of one of those moments for past few weeks, as our nation recovers from disastrous attacks of September 11th, 2001. In a world where such hatred and evil exists, how can innocence of my children fit in here?

My children are responsible for bringing me back to reality just yesterday, as I watched them go on with their lives at a church picnic we attended.

I saw my daughter make a new friend, and play arm-in-arm with her for hours. They discovered things together, played side-by-side, sang and ran and laughed together, and learned from each other. Those two could have taught world a lesson about importance of making new friends, and enjoying uniqueness of each individual.