3 squeezes

There were not many secrets . . many inside jokes . . . many special traditions between mama and me. There just wasn't time - no time at all.

But her mom - Grandma June and me - we had plenty. She died when I was barely ten - but we were close as could be.

And today - when the princess takes my hand in hers - and gives it three squeezes - our secret signal: I-love-you. It is like I am there with Grandma again. And I want to pour all of those secrets, those traditions, back into this beautiful, smiley five-year-old, who just eats them up.