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I had gotten back to the newsroom a bit late after covering a Saturday event and, as I made my way to my desk, loudly announced to no one in particular, “I’m going to the movies; this article needs to get done.”

I said it with such passion that fellow reporter Bill O’Boyle said, “What movie are you going to?”

“Finding Dory,” I said. “My granddaughter and I want to know if they’ve found her.”

I must have said it a bit defensively because Bill said, “Well, that’s a nice movie.”

About an hour later, as I made my way to my daughter’s house, I realized it had been a long time since I spent alone time with my granddaughter, Lila, who recently graduated from kindergarten.

I wondered if the movie would hold her attention, if we would have a good time.

Before we left, Lila had one request.

“I want to dye my hair pink first,” she said.

My daughter Kellyann, quickly combed the hot pink temporary pink dye — a gift from Lila’s dad — in her daughter’s hair.

“I really think it looks nice,” I said, briefly considering putting a bit of pink in my own hair.

A few hugs from Lila’s baby brother, making it incredibly hard to leave, and we were off.

The afternoon was incredible — one I will never forget.

We got to the movie an hour early, but the previews were so colorful and interesting we hardly noticed how early we were.

Although the popcorn cost $6, I didn’t let that bother me. We ate it by the handfuls, getting our hands dirty, but keeping our hearts full.

Lila frequently asked if I would check to see if her hair was still pink; I assured her it was.

We pretended our toes were fishes and swooshed them around through the air, back and forth.

She held my hand, put her head on my shoulder and requested several trips to the water fountain. (We did’t buy soda; I didn’t even ask how much that cost.)

During both the sad and the happy parts, I cried.

Lila patted my arm.

“Why are you crying now?” she said at one point. “You’ll be okay.”

I cried during the parts that showed the determination of the little fish. I cried during the parts when the little fish demonstrated a love for family. I cried when Lila told me once again she loves me.

Once back home, Lila found a dead bug.

She announced, “All living things are important” and buried it in the back yard with her mom’s help, using a spoon.

Then she prayed over it.

People ask me what I do in my spare time. I don’t have any hobbies, except working out a bit and reading.

In my spare time, I try to make a difference.

And I’m always better for it.

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By Geri Gibbons

[email protected]

Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons