As I begin this book, Samantha is now eight years old. Because of her developmental delays, her speech consists of "choppy" phrases to express her thoughts. Any emotion she is feeling, will be voiced in the form of the question, "What happened Pantha?" She cannot say "Samantha" because her speech delays, up to this point, will not allow a third syllable without extreme difficulty. Samantha has learned this, and has learned, for now, to compensate.

Last week, while at the mall, we spotted Santa Claus. Samantha grabbed me by the hand and squealed..."C'mon Daddy!" As we stood in line waiting for her to have her picture taken with Santa, Samantha asked, "What happened Pantha...What happened Daddy's baby?" (Phrasing the question two different ways, lets me know she is quite excited, and she wants to know I understand just how important it is for us to discuss it.) I replied, "Samantha is going to sit on Santa's lap!"

When we reached the head of the line, there was a lady taking down the names of the children who were having their pictures taken with Santa. She glanced at me, then bent down, looking at Samantha, and asked, "What is your name?" Samantha replied, "Pantha Karo Haw"(Samantha Carol Hall) The lady, having not understood, tried again..."What?... Honey, what did you say your name was?"

At this point, Samantha cut me a quick glance, which said, "A little help please!"...to which I responded, "She said...Samantha Carol Hall." As I watched her climb up onto Santa's knee, I wondered how she would handle Santa's not being able to understand her. I watched as Santa tried to talk with her. His frustration at not being able to understand Samantha was obvious. I watched Samantha ease his frustration by smiling broadly, and giving him a loving hug.

After a final hug, and wave, Samantha ran to where I was standing and asked, "What happened Pantha?"...What happened Daddy's baby?" I replied, "Samantha sat on Santa's lap!" With that, Samantha took both my hands in hers, and exclaimed, "I did it Daddy!...I did it!"

On the way home, I could not help but think about Samantha's comments after having sat on Santa's lap. Was she excited about having sat on Santa's lap, or was she thrilled at having been able to do what she has seen so many other children do?

I found myself wondering if I would ever know the answer to that particular question.