Naturally, “mama” and “daddy” were the first words he spoke when he learned the magic of giving sound meaning. He eagerly added to his vocabulary each day - book, ball, TV.
As he grew in stature and language, he realized that his extended family - grandmother, granddaddy, aunts and uncles all had names, too. Soon Nana, Granddaddy and Uncle Glynn were part of his life and speech. As easily as he could identify his eyes, ears and nose, he could designated, with the point of a finger, those people surrounding him with love. And everyone applauded his efforts.
But his three favorite people were his cousins, stair step in size. Although each had his/her own name and personality, he quickly dubbed the three - “The Keeds.” From one to the other, he toddled addressing each one as “Keed.”
Come Friday nights, the time of “The Keeds” weekly visit, he’d squeal when the doorbell rang. “The Keeds! The Keeds!" He’d shout, squirming off the couch and running to the front door to greet them. His joy upon seeing them was obvious. They would play kid games with him and he knew it.
Always tagging along with “The Keeds” was their mother, his aunt. For some reason as he grew from babe in arms to toddler, he stood aloof from her. She was the last in the family to be added to his vocabulary. Regardless of parental prodding, he refused to call her aunt. He just stared at her.
Then one rare day in June, he tugged on her shirt and handed her a hand scribbled drawing. “For “Keeds” Mama,” he said extending the drawing at arm’s length. When it was accepted, he smiled.
“For “Keeds” Mama,” he repeated and ran off. For the next year or so, he always greeted her in his special way. “Keeds Mama,” he called her.
Years have passed and he’s now a kid himself. Dignified he addresses his aunt by her given name. Yet almost grown now, “The Keeds” remain “The Keeds.” And when, he sits down to write the names of his best friends, “The Keeds” always head the list. Typical mother, that show of favoritism still delights “Keeds Mama.”
1980
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