Lily sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, her brow furrowed in concentration as she added the final touches to a colorful drawing. Beside her, a stack of papers detailed a story she was creating about her mom, who was smiling gently from the couch.
"Mom, why do you sometimes feel so tired?" Lily asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.
Lily's Mom[/@ch_2_d] gave a soft chuckle, reaching over to tuck a stray lock of hair behind [@ch_1]Lily's ear. "Well, sweetheart, it's because of something called an autoimmune disease," she explained. "It's like my body sometimes gets confused and thinks it's fighting off bad germs, even when it's not."
Lily nodded slowly, her eyes thoughtful. "So, your body is like a superhero that's a little mixed up?" she asked, a smile spreading across her face.
[@ch_2]Lily's Mom[/@ch_2_d] laughed gently. "That's a great way to think about it," she said. "Sometimes my superhero needs a little extra rest to be ready for action."
Lily considered this, then her eyes lit up with an idea, and she quickly grabbed a jar from the kitchen counter. "Let's make a 'feel better' jar," she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.
Lily and her mom sat together, cutting out small hearts and stars, writing little notes of encouragement on each piece. "Whenever you feel tired, you can pick one from the jar," Lily suggested.
Lily's Mom smiled, deeply touched. "That's a wonderful idea, Lily," she said, giving her daughter a hug. "These notes will be like little bursts of sunshine on cloudy days."
Lily carefully poured steaming tea into two mugs, her small hands steady as she added a splash of milk to each. "Tea time is always special with you, Mom," she said, handing a mug to her mother.
Lily's Mom took a sip, savoring the warmth of the tea and the moment. "And it's the best medicine I could ask for," she replied, her eyes sparkling with love.
As they sat together, Lily leaned against her mom, feeling content. "I like being your helper, Mom," she murmured sleepily.
Lily's Mom hugged her close. "You're the best helper I could ever have, Lily," she whispered softly, knowing that with her daughter's love, every day was a little brighter.
