"Nobody loves me!"

Those three words hit me smack in the face today. A typical day. No real drama. Nothing out of the ordinary. Low key in many ways. We stayed home all morning - to play. Then, later in the morning, K comes running to tell me:

"Nobody loves me!" - with tears in her eyes, very deep, very emotional. A big hug as she collapsed into my lap.

I can't imagine either G or Z saying this - two children I've known since the moments of their births. But, K. I met her 3 days shy of 2.5 years. It's different.

Bonding, it takes time. It's hard. It needs to be intentional. Time must be devoted.

I feel as though K has been the easier of the twins with whom to bond. However, she said this. I wonder if she said it because she is in fact bonding. It concerns me how M might feel if K is actually saying this. M holds more inside.

Oh baby, you are loved! I love you. Mem does, Auntie, G and Z. You are Z's best buddy.

I told G to come over to the couch where K and I were hugging. I asked G: "Do you love K?" Yes, she responded. I told her K thought that nobody loved her. G was SOOO sweet. She took K's face gently into her hands, got up close and said "Oh, honey. I love you. You are so sweet." It was precious. My heart smiled for G. Such a loving soul - when she can get out of her own way.

So much work to go.