The Count and I....

When Caleb was only about 18 months old, like most little ones that age, he loved to watch Sesame Street. Each day there was a number of the day and a letter sponsor. We started watching because of his attraction to the adorable little red toddler, Elmo. But soon, Caleb began to recognize his numbers thanks to the feisty "Count" who made learning numbers fun. He looked forward to the lively sessions in which The Count would take him on a musical number encounter.

Sometimes The Count would do a dance that was choreographed to a catchy tune that included the lyrics "doing the batty bat"... Scooping Caleb up in my arms, I would bounce/dance him around the room in at a waltz-like tempo keeping time with the music. Laughing all the while, we did this dance each time The Count did the "batty bat" and we would count our way through the numbers one through fifteen each time.

When it was time for a commercial break, the segue was "this portion of Sesame Street is brought you you by the letter ___ and the number ___." Yet one more opportunity for Caleb to have numbers and letters reinforced. Yet one more opportunity for me to laugh and smile with genuine joy as I watched my precious babe.

Today, as I was counting the number of days until I leave for Tennessee (and Caleb) I arrived at the number six and from somewhere in my memory bank, a flashback of Caleb and me waltzing around the living room to The Count singing his number song and the two of us "doing the batty bat". All day I have had an echo in my head: "The number of the day is 6." And another echo: "This portion is brought to you by the letter "T" (that would be "T" for Tennessee!!!)

Tomorrow it will be the letter "P" for Pack and the number of the day will be 5. There's precious little of that left to be done, actually. But every time I turn around I think of something else that I want to be sure to take with me.

Monday's sponsor is the letter "R" for remembering the awful day five years ago when our whole world changed right about the time Sesame Street was airing on PBS. Even the huge amount of joy I am feeling about the upcoming new life I am mapping out for myself cannot overshadow the deeply emotional feelings each time 9/11 comes to mind. Monday's number of the day will be 4 - for the 4seasons that beckon me.

Tuesday's number of the day will be 3 and the letter sponsor will be "F" for friends who want to have one last cup of coffee or say goodbye.

Wednesday will bring with it the number 2. Two more day until I am Tennessee bound! And Wednesday will be sponsored by the letter "G" as in "Getting ready to GO" - GO to Tennessee!

Thursday, I will be mentally waltzing around the room with the number "1" and the letter "C." "C" for Caleb - I will be on my way soon, dear little one! MY little ONE and only ONE more day until I start my trip to be near you once again.

With Friday, the letter of the day has no choice but to be "J" for the sheer joy that has been bubbling up from the very bottom of my heart as I have prepared for the day. And, the number ZERO will lead me to my new life!

With each day full of anticipation, I am amazed that the memories of Caleb, The Count and Me came rushing back with such strength today... But I am oh so glad that they did. It seems rather fitting actually. Caleb is one of the reasons I chose Tennessee as my destination. Caleb is the reason for so much joy in my life. Tennessee promises freedom, joy and Caleb... in just six more days!