8/1/02
Dear Benito, Thank you for your loving words. :-)
I am glad that you all liked my story about Lily. It gives me great pleasure to share these moments with you, knowing how much pleasure it will give you all. I always imagine how you or Inna read and translate the letter to Mama. And how you all would laugh so loud. While writing the letter, I could almost hear your laughs and see how you all say some sweet things about her.
Vakhtang is here with us since Tuesday evening. That night, I left Lily with him on the bed, and went to do something in the kitchen. A while later, I heard a little footstep coming through the living room. I can tell she was barefoot. The moment she got into the kitchen, I gave her a rather cold look and said: ”Lily, how come you are barefoot? Where are your shoes?” (Though she does not talk much, I always suspect that she knows exactly what I am talking about. I can usually understand what she is saying.) At that moment, she immediately turned around and walked out. A moment later, she came back, still walking like a duck, with two shoes dangling from her fingertips. I knew she understood me!!! I was hoping for something like this to happen, though it is the first time she responds so precisely. She proudly gave me the shoes. I gave her a hug and a kiss, set her on my laps and put the shoes on her feet. She seemed to be very happy, clapping her hands and said:” Yeah…”
Oh, she started learning to say “nose, eyes and ears”. When we ask her “where is Lily's nose?” She would use a finger pressing on her nose and say ”Noooo…” She can say and point out “eye” nicely. But if we ask her for ears, she would hold on both of her ears and pulled them pretty hard. I was afraid that she might pull them off. Ha ha…
By the way, you don’t have to worry about writing back to me right away. I don’t usually wait for your response unless I have a question. So, just sit back and enjoy. I will keep writing whenever I have a story. It is my way of making a diary before I forget the details.
So much for today.
Love,
Yan
P.S. I will give Vakhtang your short letter. He has a cold and coughing these few days. He may call you these days, if he is lucky to reach you.
