As the dust settled after my son’s departure to college, my daughters jumped with joy at the chance to get their own rooms.  They’ve been sharing a bedroom since Eva’s birth.  Sometimes that was a heartwarming situation when I’d hear them giggle and talk at night while falling asleep.  Sometimes that was an headache-inducing situation when they’d fight over space, toys, clothes, dust bunnies….you name it, they fought over it.

Independence day arrived! Their ‘new’ rooms were freshly painted and decorated, and both girls were squealing in glee.  Annika promptly put a sign on her door that said ‘PRIVUTE, KEP OUT!’

The next day when I went to get them ready for school, I found Eva in her sister’s bed.  She had apparently gotten scared overnight, and off she went to what was familiar, warm and occasionally welcoming.  

A few mornings later, I found Annika in Eva’s bed. 

The other night, my husband relayed to me that Eva had decorated her soccer ball with a yellow-blanket (representing Annika’s hair), had named said soccer ball ‘Annika’, then proceeded to cuddle with this pseudo-sister as she fell asleep. 

Meanwhile my son, across the world in France, has been telling me how lonely he is in this strange land. 

Maybe I should ship him a soccer ball.

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