faith at a child's level

Evangeline inadvertantly has reminded of something a friend once said, about relating to God through imaginary friends when she was child.

Like many children, Evangeline has plenty of stuffed animals, none of which has mattered much at all to her. Until her grandmother died. Then, suddenly, she bonded to a handmade stuffed rabbit she has had since she was born, which she calls Cinderabbit. Evangeline has slept with Cinderabbit every night since Grandma's funeral, and for a while took her everywhere she went as well.

As my friend observed with her imaginary friends, so I have seen with Evangeline and Cinderabbit. Cinderabbit demands nothing in return from Evangeline for the comfort she gives. She stays as close as Evangeline wants, loves her unconditionally, and listens to the moans and sighs Evangeline doesn't know the words to express.

She couldn't be any more real if her coat were made of velveteen.