Sick.  So sick.  The little one and I have been coughing uncontrollably for days.  I finally broke down and went back to the doctor for my wicked sinus infection that has lingered for weeks.  I have BARELY left my bed; meanwhile little miss walking pneumonia is bouncing off the walls.  It would seem her Christmas break has started an entire week early.  After hours of hacking up my lungs I finally staggered over to soak in a warm bubble bath.  The steam was just beginning to rise and I eased back with a contented sigh.  Just as I closed my eyes a gust of cold air came bursting in along with this adorable little sprite.  “Mama, are you taking a bath?” she asked peering down at me.  “Yes, honey,” I replied through slitted eyes.  “Can I stay with you?” she asked in her innocent voice.  “Sure, sweetheart” I said hoping she might get bored and leave.  The next thing I knew there were bath toys assailing me from every direction and squeals of delight as she shrieked “Save me!  Save me!” to some poor animal who had sunk.  Rummaging around for what was poking me, I retrieved it thinking I would have some respite.  After closing my eyes once again I opened them upon hearing “HO HO HO!”  This sweet angel was looking at me with bubbles on her face and giggling with uncontrolled glee.  What would I do without my little one?  The American poet Sylvia Plath once wrote, “There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”  I feel the same about my precious little girl.  She lifts my spirits, loves me unconditionally, and lends everything in my life wonder, magic, and joy … making my life bubbly.