When they had eaten their fill of pancakes, and sausage, the three girls nestled closer together in the booth of the restaurant.  It was nearly five am, but none of them would admit they were sleepy.  Prudy had her arms around each of her sisters.  Each sister rested her head on her big sister’s shoulder.

“Would you like more coffee?” the waitress asked.

“No, thanks.” replied Prudy.

“We don’t have to go yet, do we Prudy?” yawned Bea.

“Not yet.” Prudy squeezed each sister tighter.

“I miss you.  I wish you could see us more,” replied Purity.

“I know.  I wish it too.  But sometimes life takes people away to make room for other people. And sometimes…” Prudy began.

Purity moaned and rolled her eyes.

“Just listen, this experience is teaching you a lot.  How, for example, would you have known how much I love you if I hadn’t proven it to you by coming to you in this way?!  It could be MUCH worse!  I won’t belittle your intelligence, Purity by telling you this situation doesn’t SUCK!  It does suck! But, there is so little to be done at this point.  We just have to ride it out.  Do you think this is the only situation you’ll ever have to ride out in life?”

“I hope so!” Purity complained.

“I wish that were so, but I doubt it,” Prudy exclaimed. “Life can hand you some pretty sucky situations and you just have to ride it out the best you can.  You gotta pull your big girl panties on and keep going.”

“I guess that’s true,” said Purity reluctantly.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t color a bit of happiness for yourself along the way…” Prudy said this picking up one of those complimentary crayons restaurants give out.  It had been left on the table by a previous guest.  She handed Purity the purple crayon. “Did you ever hear the story of Harold and the Purple Crayon?” asked Prudy.

“That’s a kid’s story!” announced Bea.

“Yeah, it is.  Let’s check it out on Youtube,” said Prudy.  She turned to her phone and in no time, they were huddled around her phone watching the classic children’s story:

https://youtu.be/y14lhMhaWuk

“Notice that Harold uses the purple crayon to create what he needs,” Prudy explained.

“We can’t do that!” replied Bea.

“You can’t?! asked Prudy.  You ALWAYS have choices.  Even if it doesn’t seem like it.  You just have to look harder to find them.  For example, I refused to lose you, right?!”

“Right!” both girls agreed.

“So I looked real hard and I found a secret path to you.  I created a way to be with you everyday.

“And you… you get on our path whenever you can.  You find ways to be with me too.  Nothing really stops you.  You may be delayed a bit.  But we are not being stopped.  I actually think that through this magic you know me better than you ever did.  And I’m certainly more aware of your feelings than I was in the past.  We created a place to be together.  Why can’t you create some happiness for yourself?  You can.  Just pick up ‘your purple crayon’ and do it.”