Today I found Maddi holding a photo of our family. She was sitting, gleefully pointing to Shawn, syllabically saying, “da da da da.” I looked more closely and noticed she was pointing to Shawn in the photo. I pointed to the rest of us in the family portrait and she continued to repeat in her falsetto voice, “da da da da,” while pointing to Shawn with a smile that widened across her face; sweet and gentle.
This is my first experience with her of recognition to her father. I rapidly jotted notes in my hand-written journal to prompt me to write more later. Finally. A connection. Thank God, for a connection. It appears that I may have needed this link more than she. Yet, I think there was a sense all around me that said this is important for everyone involved.
