This afternoon, Miss J tried to entice me into sitting down with her for a spell of ABC Kids.

"Would you like a cushion for your feet?" "Would you like something to lean on?"

She is nothing if not hospitable.

"No, I just want a cuddle and a hug," I teased.

She immediately climbed into my lap and lay face down on me, like she did as a baby.

"I will always be here for you," she promised solemnly.

Miss J has a gift for profound thinking and conversations.

Yesterday, the topic of ageing came up.

"I want to grow up fast," insisted Miss J.

"Don't grow up too fast, otherwise it means Mummy is getting old fast too," I joked.

"When you grow up, you'll become the grandmother. The grandmother that lives with me," Miss J predicted.

"Why thank you! How very kind of you."

Then J's face crumpled.

"I don't want you to get old. I don't want you to get a wrinkly face. I want you to always be my mummy!"

And she crumpled up, sobbing.

My heart broke to see her so distressed.

What words could I use to comfort a 4 yo whose purity and innocence had led her to the realization that growing older is a precursor to death and loss and sadness?

I did the first thing that came to mind. I hugged Miss J tightly and assured her that however old I got, I would always be her mummy.

I don't know if that helped. But she seemed to get over the moment and regain her usual joyful exuberance.

Guess I'll have to wait till the subject comes up again.