Heaven is where Angels smile

She was barely four months old. At that "age", you don't describe her height, what you do, instead, is to try and measure her LENGTH. She was not too long, she fitted perfectly in that little length between my elbow and my palm.... I think that distance is called one cubit, I may be wrong.

She nestled there, sometime last month, snugly. A tiny head, covered thickly with hair. Eyes that were wide open, looking up into mine - wondering at the ugly face looking down at hers. 

She must have weighed perhaps 4 kilos? The weight of a whole world in my arms, terrified as I was, whether she'd feel comfortable in my arms. I held my breath, hoping against hope, this little bundle would not scream her protest... hoping, she would not cry!

My voice, usually gruff and unfriendly, took on a wondering tone.... I was melting inside, at the sheer loveliness of the sensation of holding an angel in my arms. And, somewhere, unknown to me, words began to flow out of my mouth in a language that I did not know existed.... words that come, when an "adult" speaks to an infant, sounds actually more than words.... nonsensical, reassuring, meaningless, words that - if you ask me now - I don't even know existed...!!

That little face, looking up at me, gazing at the ugliness hovering over her angelic face... that face puckered in intense concentration, seemingly following ... following God knows what! Following the expressions on my face, perhaps? Or following the tone of my voice? Honestly, I have absolutely no clue.....

How does one begin to understand the learning processes of a 4 month old angel's mind/brain? Where, when and HOW exactly does the cognitive process begin to operate? I have no idea at all... 

But, despite my appearance, despite the gruffness of the voice.... she looked up at me, her eyes opened just a wee, tiny bit bigger, she waved her tiny fists all around in excitement ..... and she SMILED, a great, big, gurgling, wet, noisy smile, rocked her head happily and, in that moment, instantly, Aahana showed me once again, there is a Heaven on earth.  

Sats