Breakthrough

For weeks now, when he comes to the house, or when we go to visit him, his arms reach up, even if Joe is nowhere in sight, and he exclaims, "Pap! Pap!"

Truth be told, one of my greatest joys is watching him and Joe together. Their mutual adoration is blatant; it is obvious; it is ongoing.

Sherry and I have both been trying to get him to call me by name. Any name, actually. We tried Gramma," "Grandma," "Nana." But all this yielded just a shy smile, a sweet wave, and "Hi."

It changed on Sunday. Joe wasn't in front of the house when they arrived, and when he saw me coming to meet them, Sherry pointed and inquired, "Sam! Who's that?"

And the blessed boy replied, "Grunmum!"