Communication

November 20, 2025 — 8:00pm

Dear Reese,

Most evenings, you just want Cappi to hold you all night. Cappi loves holding you, but sometimes he needs to do other things. When I take you upstairs, crying, because he couldn’t hold you while doing the dishes, I ask you, “Did you want a hug from Cappi?” and you nod.

It’s very sweet. I distract you for a few minutes before we go back downstairs. Cappi is taking out the trash. I tell you, when Cappi is done taking out the trash, he can hug you. You are patient, watching the door. He comes back in, and you reach for him to get that hug.

In this age of semi-communication, we have to do some investigating and negotiating to figure out how to understand each other. Sometimes you may have the thing you’re asking for, but I’m just not sure what that thing is. Like at the end of dinner, when you’re asking for ‘more’ but say no to everything on the table.

So it’s lovely, even though you’re upset and not getting what you want, for me to ask you ‘Is this what you wanted?’ (a hug from Cappi) and for you to nod yes. We can work from there.

Love,

Mama