July 5, 2005

• The Charmer

  
  

  Grandson had the full attention of aunts and cousins this past weekend.  He captured the whole crew of women (and even a couple of the men) with one simple word, "bye".  Obviously, the simple context of the word would not accomplish much.  In fact, it could be counter-productive.  Rather, it was his pronunciation and simple directness that brought on the "aahhwwwwws".  In the tone that only one of 15 months can muster his "bye" would come as a soft "biah".  Visions of drooping, moss ladened willow trees, parasols, and ladies in hoop skirts strooling with their children flooded everybody's thoughts.  A few people speculated that we may have imported him from Georgia.  Another reason this simple word was so effective was that he didn't reserve this emmittance for the occasion when he or someone else were actually parting company.  If he decided to look for grandma in the kitchen, he would turn to those in the dining room with a soft, "biah".  This would be promptly followed by half a dozen, "bye, sweety"s.  No one tired of hearing this as he went about his busy schedule of trotting around, looking for cousin's pet ferret under the couch or discovering the next off-limits nick nack.  The Paul Newman-blues (coined by Aunt Jeannie) may have been a factor too.

  
  

  As the group was breaking up, everyone made a point of seeking out Grandson and getting their last, "biah".  I watched him grin, wave his little chubby hand, and eat it all up.  I realized that he will have the support that he needs as he takes on the challenges ahead...even if he should loose some of that innocent charm.

  • 4:20 pm
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