The Nursery Lap
Meet Tete, a darling little imp who comes to church with her faithful mother, Kadiatu. In Mende, Tete simply translates to “Small Girl.” Tete is indeed a small girl but she comes with a big charm. Before we had a formal nursery and children’s church, the toddlers and younger children would battle it out for the coveted Nursery Lap. But somehow it became Tete’s little domain; this was her Lap. Oh, she might share it with others, I’ve had as many as four on my lap, but Tete was determined to be included at all costs. Once when she arrived a bit late and it became clear to her that I could hold no more children, her little eyes brimmed over with tears as she silently and sullenly made her way to her mother, no expression on her sweet gingerbread face, just utterly crushed. I admit that I giggled at Tete as she walked away, glancing back over her shoulder one more time just to be sure; even in her pout she was simply too cute.
Is this not the look of a child having gotten exactly what she wanted?
One Sunday, Tete had the Nursery Lap all to herself and Stephen snapped this amusing sequence of photos.
A nap usually helps pass the time for Tete
Next, the Nursery Lap becomes a jungle gym
But when Tete begins to reach her limit, I pull out the secret weapon; my braid will keep her quietly entertained for an amazingly long time
Hang in there Tete, we’re almost finished!
