December 14, 2000 - Thursday
What a way to come home! I drove into the garage at about 7:40 this evening from the airport and, as I got out of the car, Harry and his mother arrived at the door to greet me, he in her arms. And, as soon as he saw me - after almost three days away - Harry immediately smiled and called out "dad." I suppose that would have been plenty for a warm return that would make me a happy father, but Harry was clearly more excited than that. He immediately started his excited giggle and didn't stop as I made my way around the car. As I approached the door, bags in hand, Harry reached for me with both arms, leaning away from his mother to the point that there was no choice for me but to drop my bags in his favor. I took him and he giggled some more. We walked into the house and he was perfectly happy to hang around, showing me his improved walking and playing games.

Now, it would be easy, if not perfectly reasonable, for me as an enthusiastic parent to exaggerate Harry's recognition or emotional response. But, there's no other way to read it other than Harry was excited to see me. He's been excited to see me before, when I pick him up at daycare for example, but never like this. It seemed clear that he realized he hadn't seem me in a couple of days and also that it made him happy that I was back. That's much more than I expected from my one year-old boy and it shot to the top of the list of special parenting moments so far.

When I finally moved my bags into the room, Harry begin pawing them like a child who knows there was a present waiting. Of course, I don't believe that he could have known, though suppose I did bring a few things home from my business trip last month. Eventually, I produced a red ball and that set Harry off again with the giggling. We sat on the floor and played ball for several minutes. I'd roll or toss it to him and he'd try to eat it. I'd tell him to throw it back and he'd lean over and hand it to me. We can work on those details later. For know he's just a brilliant boy and a wonderful son.


Comments, opinions?