I love going home to visit. Grad school and now teaching are great, but it never stops me from missing home. One of the things I miss most is Noah - his big smile, his generous heart, his contagious laugh. Noah's wonderful mom was my roomate when he was born and I had the pleasure of spending the first eight months of his life with him.
When I made the decision to move to Ohio to pursue my doctoral degree I knew that I would miss many things, but one of the things I missed most was Noah. I remember being sure that he would not remember me once I left and that those first eight months that had meant so much to me would mean nothing to him. I knew that I could keep in touch with my friends via telephone and letters, but how do you remind an infant of who you are and how much you love them from 300 miles away?
Miraculously though, Noah did remember me - does remember me. I think I owe this completely to his mom and our frequent phone calls. Noah knows me as a voice on the phone, a playmate at holidays, the lady who sends cards and candy, and the woman he mistakes magazine models for. He knows me because his mother willed it and I am eternally grateful.
