Call Me

Sarah has known her dad's name for a long time now. Then again, she's also memorized his favorite foods, resting heart rate, social security number and voting history. She watches him as closely as Lola watches the dog food bin.

A few weeks ago, she figured out my name. She doesn't use it very often. I don't think she's ever called for me by name. "Mama!" usually works just great for her. When I ask her what my name is, she says with very little enthusiasm, "You're Julianne."

The other afternoon, her daycare teacher told me that Sarah had gotten a splinter in her foot. When the teacher attempted to remove the splinter, Sarah got very upset and began screaming, "Call Julianne! Call Julianne!"

Splinter picker. That's all I am to this child.