I Still Love You.

This past March my youngest nephew, who's 4, moved away with mom. We all miss him dearly. Especially, of course, my brother. What really doesn't help is that the "non-talking" gene runs so strong through my family's blood.  Especially over distance and difficult emotions. But, it is just that way regardless. The story gets told that when my brother was little, he didn't talk at all for a LONG time...so everyone thought.  It became tense mummers and questions of ...if maybe... their was something maybe "not quite  right" with him.  Our big sister, then little too, would  say  "But, he can talk..."  He stayed silent. Then one day my aunt stepped into the room with the two of them sitting and playing...and my brother?...just a talking away to my sister! As soon as he became aware of her presence he quickly hushed... Auntie say "Uuuhhhuh!Boy! don't even try it!--now we know!"


Well, now he has a lil 'ol him. This means that for  the past 6 months since the move, my brother has unsuccessfully tried to have phone communication with his son. Sometime ago he decided that each time Jaylan doesn't come to the phone, he would just say to his older brother "Tell Jaylan, that's okay Dadda still loves him!" or "Even if you don't want to talk me, I still love you!" "Not matter what--I still  love you!"

For months  his big brother has been passing on the messages. "Dadda says that's okay-- he still loves you."  Sometime through speaker phone--"That's okay if you don't' wanna talk to me Jaylan--I still love you!"
Sometime with Jaylan being forced to hold the phone..."That's okay--I still love you!" My brother would smile and say "and there's nothing you can do to make me stop!"

But never any  response from Jaylan.

For the past few days Jaylan has been home-- visiting. Dadda is happy. We all are. It's Jaylan's world! Chuck E. Cheese two days in a row-- per his request! Today my brother calls to tell me, he'd been looking and looking for all the prize tickets Jaylan won over the 2 days and  finally:

Dadda say: "Awww maaaan Jaylan!!! I must've thrown them away! I'm sorry! It was an accident.... I promise we'll go again, and I'll help you win them all back!

Jaylan say : That's okay Dadda... I still love you.