Audrey

It doesn't take much to turn me into mush nowadays. I think I used to be pretty tough. I shed the occasional tear when E.T wanted to phone home. I was a little weepy at weddings and funerals, but never anything that a single tissue couldn't manage. Sending the girls off to college, graduations, welcoming Kay home for the holidays from Arizona...these were pretty standard events that would generate a few tears, happy or sad.

But last week, we were loading our granddaughter into the carseat, and she pointed her little finger at me with a grin as big as all outdoors and clearly said, "Nana!" Now I must admit that when she first arrived, the most exciting feature of her visit was neither me nor her grandfather. She made a beeline for Jake, signing and saying "kitty" simultaneously. I doubt Jake's heart was going pitty-pat at the recognition, however. His was no doubt screaming into 'fight or flight' mode, though he was polite enough to allow a few minutes of patting and petting, proving that his manners were at least as good as this child's.

But "Nana" is what she said when she saw me, and no single word has carried that much weight in a long time. Despite living a country apart, despite constant exposure to her other grandparents, despite our brief and frenetic visits, she KNOWS us. She is not afraid of us. She doesn't cower behind her mom and dad or cry when we come near. What a gift to be able to pick her up and snuggle her close! What a gift to see her face light up, and to hear her giggle at these foolish grown-ups who will do almost anything to make her laugh. What a gift it is to see this little blonde elf toddling off purposefully with a little red bucket filled with treasures she's collected in our house: a spoon, a bowl, a toy, some 'O's or some discarded peas she's found in her high chair. Even her constant efforts to climb the stairs (requiring adult pursuit) or to fiddle with the buttons of the laptop or the printer, or to explore the recesses of every unsecured cabinet and cupboard...these are reminders of her need to know and grow and practice all the myriad skills that we take so much for granted. From language to physical accomplishment to interpersonal relationships, she is absorbing information at a phenomenal rate, and in the process, generates a sort of electricity that captivates the people around her.

What a fabulous thing, to be part of this little human being's education process...How wonderful to be her Nana.