I was riding the city bus headed uptown, and as we paused at a light, I watched a man and a little girl taking a stroll down the sidewalk, going in the opposite direction.
She looked to be around 2 1/2 - 3 years old, had on a fuzzy white winter hat, a pink coat and checkered patterned pants. She was definitely at an age where holding her hand especially out in the streets was the expected norm. As the guardian held on to her right hand, the little girl was taking several licks of a red lollipop in her left.
At one point, the guardian leans down slightly and engages the little one in conversation. A few seconds later, he leans down further as the little girl generously lifts up her lollipop to allow him a few licks. When she believes him to be done, she brings down the hand. Once again the guardian engages her in conversation and again, with the same sweet generosity of spirit, she raises the lollipop and allows him to take more licks.
As my bus began to move away, the last I saw of them, the guardian had straightened back up and was guiding her through the cross walk. And though they soon disappeared from view, my mind lingered on the sweet, gentle kindness in that little girl's gesture.
Simply put, she touched my heart.