"I Love You," Said Cameron

From Friday night to Saturday morning (9/28/13), Anne and I had our grandchildren Cameron age 8 and his little sister Carina age 5.

Both children gave us big hugs when they arrived, Cameron giving some of the warmest hugs he ever has.

And later at bedtime I told the children the story of "Jumping Judy," and after a good deal of questions, comments and laughter about the story, when I tucked them in Cameron said, "I love you," to me and it touched my heart, for these are the nicest words I've ever heard him express to me.

The next morning both children wanted fresh donuts and Carina insisted on coming to Mayer's Bakery with me so she could choose just the right thing for everyone, including her parents, knowing all the extra donuts would go home with them.

So of course in classic Uncle Gene manner, I bought way more donuts than we needed. Carina chose a chocolate cupcake for herself and a sugar donut and hot chocolate beverages for Cameron and her.

Once home, she only nibbled on her two pastries and after having me add more chocolate to her and Cameron's hot chocolate, drank virtually none of it. But she had a wonderful time buying all of these goodies and plenty of laughter at the kitchen table while she played and didn't eat very much.

When their mother picked them up, both children hugged us and as they jumped in the car they laughingly kept calling out to Anne, whose birthday it was, "Happy Birthday, I said that," even as the car pulled away and we could still hear the echo of their happy voices in the distance.

Dick