When the kids were small and were having a bad day and were missing their daddy because he was traveling, I’d scoop them up and declare that I heard our car telling me that we were going on an adventure. None of us knew where the car was taking us, but it usually wound up either at the bookstore (if it was only Meghan) or at the Thomas the Tank Engine store (if it was Joey) or sometimes both places (if it was summer and Meghan was home from school). At the respective stores, I’d buy each of them a “just because” present to help them get through their little rough patches. Meghan would choose a book and I’d choose a book for her, too; Joey always got two wooden train cars, “one for each hand” and then we’d go back home and read and play trains till supper time.

Yesterday, Meghan stopped by with a “just because” present for me. Those little presents really do cheer you up.