Love for my children

The kids and I watched the movie Tangled tonight, a lovely adaptation of the Rapunsel fairy tale that we all thoroughly enjoyed.  There is a beautiful scene in the movie where the grieving king and queen have the support of their entire kingdom in lighting a floating lantern vigil to their missing daughter, releasing them on her birthday's evening each year. 
I told Emily that's how much Mommy and Daddy love her, even more to be honest and that Daddy feels like that when he is away from her.  Astute little observer that she is, she pointed out that we had never sent lanterns into the air to tell her how much we loved her but I told her that every day that I am away from she and her sister I say my prayers and thank God for them, and pray that they know how much I love them. 
I didn't think she could understand that sort of thing yet, but she seemed to get it.  It was pretty cool.  Who'd have thought an animated movie could help explain something so important to me to her.  I had tears in my eyes the whole time, poor sap that I am, but after we talked about it, she seemed to get a heavy heart.  I told her it was ok to be sad for the characters because it was a very good movie, and that was how it was supposed to be.  I don't know if that made her feel better, but it sure made me wonder what she understands and what she feels on a deeper level than we might give her credit for. 
When we left the theater they bounced and skipped gaily through the parking lot with me, but as we neared the car she said that she'd like to write Mommy a letter to tell her how much she misses her and let her know she loves her very much.  Makes me wonder what's going on in that little mind of hers...I told her that was the really cool thing about letters.  We can send someone an I love you anytime we want and the mail will come right to them. 
What a cool day it was today!