Cosmic Joke

It happens at night when I am singing Lilian the final song of the day.  Usually "Hush Little Baby" (with Mama instead of Papa.)  Often, Francesca accompanies me and rocks a doll or monkey or panda or bunny.  Usually the "baby" is wrapped in some sort of blanket or towel or burp cloth.  The room has just a touch of light so that we can all barely make each other out.  We stand and rock and sing.  And Lilian looks down almost immediately.  The second she catches a glimpse of Francesca, she breaks into the most glorious laughter.  The kind that comes straight from the heart.  The kind that you cannot help but join in on.  The kind that makes you think she must understand some sort of cosmic joke.  Like she is wiser beyond any of us, or at least more enlightened.  And we learn from her through laughter.