Michael and Mei Mei

My sister joined the Army right after graduating high school, so between the years spent away at college, the ones that followed spent deployed in various places, and the last couple- in which she's planted herself in a couple of different states before finding her way back here- she's spent a long time away from "home."

I really cherish having her around again, not least because I get so many opportunities to see her interact with my children.  And I certainly can't complain about having an extra set of hands around every once in awhile, and access to a baby-sitter, that I know and trust implicitly, who is available for the very rare occasions that Tom and I have both spent any amount of time away from the kids.

Perhaps the loveliest thing to have borne witness to in all this time, however, is the unique relationship that she has formed with Michael.  I don't know what it is about her, but she has a special talent for making him light up in sheer joyfulness and laughter, simply by entering a room.  He regularly responds to her in ways that I rarely see him repeat with anyone else.

She spent the afternoon with us a few days ago, and I was able to capture an intimate moment between the two of them.

Until he took notice of me, and my camera.

"Hi, mom!"

I must admit to the occasional twinge of jealousy, but it can't compete with the elation that I feel in seeing my little boy so happy.  And my little sister, too.