This afternoon, when I came down after clearing away the lunch dishes, Tage met me at the foot of the stairs and asked, “Is there anything you wish for?”

“Wish for?” I asked. “What do you mean?”

“There’s a little green flower with four leaves,” he explained, “and if you find it you get a wish. What would you wish for?”

“Hmmm ….” I considered a moment before answering, not wanting to put too much pressure on him. “I think a big bowl of ice cream.”

He did a little considering of his own, then held up one finger in the classic “Eureka!” gesture. “Or maybe a new baby!”