Speed's Ten

I don't even know where to begin with this boy. There are kids who land here because they need a place to stay. And there are kids who land here, I believe, because somehow, someone knows this is the perfect place for them to grow for how ever long they need to be here. Speed was one of those.

Speed:
10. Called "teeth" "toothbrush". "We gonna brush our toothbrush?"
9. Had two favorite phrases: "I need your lap." and "Pick me up."
8. Loved to push buttons. Literally, although sometimes figuratively as well. Dishwasher, washer, dryer, radio, next door neighbors' doorbell. Any. Button.
7. Came with so few nouns. A phrase he learned quickly was "What that?" But he repeated it over and over and over again till you were quick enough to figure out what he was pointing to and answer.
6. Was terrified of water in early June. Was so comfortable in it by early August that he was fearless. Bathtime became a wet mess for the entire bathroom.
5. Had a special connection with our next door neighbor, Mr. Paul. Speed called him Mr. Paula and likely would have visited his house every night if given the chance. We recently took some farmer's market veggies over. Speed was holding a basket of cherry tomatoes. Only Mr. Paul's wife, Miss Jane, was there. "Give Jane her tomatoes, buddy." "No. These Mr. Paula." So we waited for Paul to come home.
4. Favorite shirt: Bright orange with a bike riding hamburger on it. If it was clean, it was the first pick.
3. Had potential for being a great child laborer. This boy LOVES to help. He liked to put napkins out, set the table, clear the table, get the paper, carry Stubby's food upstairs, shake a pillow into a pillow case, vacuum with the tiny sweeper...
2 1/2. Called me "mommytammy"--all one word, but it sounded like "MahKah" most of the time.
2. Read "Duck on a Bike" Every. Single. Night. Since. May. Ninth.
1. When I told him the other night that I loved him, he said, "Why you do dat?" "Because you're a great guy, of course." "Oh." Big smile.

My dear Speed, As best I can tell, you were given little reason to trust grown ups in your first years. Thank you for trusting me. You're a great guy and I love you.