Dim House, Bright Hearts

Miss Gabi

Two first graders met on the playground one day while waiting for pickup and decided to ask their families for a playdate that night.

I can't wait
for our
playdate!

They were thinking it would be a perfect night for stargazing and hot cocoa.

The two new friends asked their parents for a playdate. The little boy's father said of course! But the little girl's mom said maybe next week, not tonight. She looked at the ground with a sigh and embarrassed eyes. She gave her daughter a kiss on the head and a tight squeeze. The little girl wondered why her mom looked sad, it was just a playdate after all!

Later at dinner, the girl's family sat around candles while eating dinner and told stories like they did most of the year. The little girl asked her family, "why couldn't my friend come over today?" her parents exchanged concerned looks and sighed. "Well that's because our family is different. Some families have enough money for food and electricity. This month we had to choose food.

Their family looked shameful and embarrassed again. The little girl did not understand. She had so much fun eating dinner by candles and snuggling up in her favorite scarf at the dinner table. She thought their nights were cozy and everyone had months like this! Then she thought about it more and started to realize it was kind of hard to do her homework and brush her teeth in the dark. Was her new friend's life easier than hers? That night she went to sleep hoping tomorrow her mom would set up a playdate for her and her new friend

The little girl woke up to her mom's warm kiss on her forehead and the sun shining through her windows. She always loved the mornings because the light meant her mom could read her a story before breakfast.

Her mom said that the whole family talked and said it would be alright for her friend to come over tonight as long as he dressed warm and was okay with soup made on the camping grill! The little girl jumped up and down and danced all around. She could not wait for the playdate!