Layla’s first day at Mama’s flower shop had arrived. It was certainly not going to be your ordinary day care, but it did make perfect sense. Who else but Mama could possibly understand Layla? And besides, Maggie and I were Layla’s only real support. She had many loving and kind people around her, we all did, but no one but us really understood her and what was going on with her. So after a very brief discussion, Maggie and I rearranged our work schedules and were lined up to be there with Layla on alternating days during her first week at what we were now calling Mama’s Day Care.

Layla was totally excited about it.

For a three-year-old, Layla was speaking very well, so there was a lot of conversation going on around the Monday morning breakfast table. It was all about her first day at the flower shop.

Looking up from her bowl of cereal, Layla said, “Daddy, is there gonna be doggies there at Mama’s shop? Is there gonna be toys and other kids?”

Shooting a glance over at Maggie, I said, “Well, Layla, I’ve seen kids and dogs coming in and out of Mama’s shop. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of fun there, sweetheart!”