Madonna in Prayer by Sassoferrato, c1640-50 One afternoon, I was making dinner, standing at the counter with my back to our three youngest children. Katie and Anthony were lounging around the kitchen table, with three-year-old Lucy perched like a little elf on a high stool, happily swinging her legs. Simply making conversation, Katie who was about eight, asked Lucy, “Lucy, who’s your favorite, mum or dad?” Lucy replied,”Both!” I looked over my shoulder and intruded on their conversation, “Smart answer, Lucy.” Lucy was not done, though, “But she’s not my real mum, Mary is.” continue
