"Can I check your mood?" asked a 4th grader holding up a mood ring. She was beautiful.

"Sure!" I answered and extended my hand. She slipped the ring on my finger then wrapped her hand around mine, holding it and smiling up at me. Butterflies fluttered as I felt the warmth of her fingers and lost myself in her bright eyes. All too soon she let go of my hand and looked at the ring.

"Purple," she declared. She consulted the slip of paper listing colours and their corresponding moods. A mischievous smirk appeared. She looked up at me. "You're feeling...romantic," she rolled with a suggestive, teasing tone.

"Of course I am," I replied tenderly, "you were just holding my hand."

A chill went up my spine. Oh no, why did I say that? What have I done? Did I go too far? Did I say too much? Have I frightened her? What if she runs away and tells someone what I said?

I needn't have worried. Her face lit up with the biggest, toothiest grin. She spent the next 10 minutes following me around, telling me all about her family and where she lived (far away). Her voice was angelic, so sweet, full of contagious energy and enthusiasm. Then it was time for her to go.

I never got your name, unknown 4th grader, and I'll probably never see you again. But thank you for shining your light on my life if only for a moment. You reached across generations to touch my hand and my heart. You'll never know how much that truly meant to me.