She couldn't take her eyes off her baby as the surgeon described the procedure; no, procedures.

"I didn't know it was going to be so complicated," she said holding back tears.

"Sometimes these things are a little more complicated," the surgeon replied, "But you want her to be fixed, right?"

"Yes, I do." The tears were held at bay but they were blurring her vision now.

She took in a deep breath, "Ok, go ahead and do what you have to do." She looked into the surgeon's eyes, "I trust you. I'll just wait in here." As she walked off the surgeon could barely hear the soft sobs.

For the next four hours, the surgeon worked with great love and concentration. She had done this type of work before and she understood what was at stake. Her reputation depended on her skill in not only repairing the damage but hiding any scars so that the patient retained her original beauty as well. This one had been her toughest surgery to date, an almost complete reconstruction. It had taken her six months to convince the loved one that the surgery was necessary that it was in the best interest of the patient. Love can do strange things to a person, even delaying needed surgery. Finally, the reconstruction was finished.

"Mary-Clare," the surgeon slowly opened the door, "I'm finished with your baby."

The little girl leapt out of bed and grabbed her beloved stuffed cow hugging her to her chest.

"Oh, Caroline Bovine, you look wonderful!"

With her cow in one hand, she wrapped the other around her mother's neck and kissed her on the cheek.

"Oh, Mom, you are the best!"

The surgeon watched as the little girl turned and returned to the celebratory tea party set for Caroline's return. Another successful surgery, she loved her job.