"I don't miss Dad."

All day long, Ellie has said, "I don't miss my dad." Every time she's been asked she has given the same response. (We went to church, the grocery store, for hair cuts and to piano lessons today. She was asked often.)

I think I'm suffering a bit from the lack of sleep (high schoolers start the day way too early!), because I didn't think to explore this comment until this evening. At her request, we had just prayed for her daddy. Then she announced again that she does not miss him.

"Ellie," I spoke gently, "are you happy Daddy is gone?" "No."

"Do you wish he was here to tuck you in at night?" "Yes."

"Do you feel just a little bit sad that you don't get to see him every day?" "I'm a lot sad."

"Ellie, when you're a little bit sad and want him with you, that means you miss him."

"Oh." She got very quiet then. "I didn't know that."

Really, little one? I never would have guessed.