This morning I have to take the little angel to the doctor to see if her ear infection is gone.  I'm trying to get some work done before we go, as I know going to a pediatrician's office is never, um, quick.

I put in a DVD we made of our home movies.  We've just watched the little angel's second birthday party, and now we're on Easter 2006.  The little angel has crawled up on the back of the couch and has her cold little feet on my neck.  I'm thinking it's the next cool think in European spas.

So I was talking to one of the other moms at ballet class last night about having to take my daughter to the doctor this morning.  One of the dads asked if we were going to be at pictures, which are on Friday at 2:15.  I muttered that at 2:15 I would be at work downtown, then I went to get the two complimentary tickets to the three recitals ($12 per ticket, even parents have to buy a ticket, grrr).  When I came back, the other mom was looking at me expectantly.

"You can say no if you want," she said, "but I'd be happy to pick up your daughter from daycare and take her to pictures. She can come and play with I. afterwards at our house until you can pick her up."

I paused to try to wrap my head around the idea that this woman was willing to take all that on.  I mean, we've been talking every week for the past two months, and our girls are friends.  I. even took the little angel's hand when she was scared about performing last weekend and led her out on stage.  But still, what a lot of work!  What a nice thing!  I paused.

"Like I said, if you're not comfortable..." she trailed off.  I thought about how much she'd put herself out there to suggest it, for no reason at all other than kindness.  So I decided to take her up on it.

"I think that's the sweetest gesture.  I'd love it if you could.  I hope I can return the favor someday," I said, blushing.

"I think it's pretty unfair how they have everything during the workday," she said. 

I'm trying to accept help when it drops out of the universe.