Wah happened?

WEALLY ?

 

Joseph and I try hard to keep a straight face, not let a smile crack it,
when our darling tootsie pie 3 ½ year old daughter says, 'Mommy, you make me feel bad when I say, that's white' or turn awound, Mommy.' We apologize  every time we comment when she mispronounces her 'Rs'. Her pediatrician, Dr. Woland is a thorn in my side as he winces and corrects Charlotte. 'My name is Row-land, not Wo land.' He insists strongly she will get over the trouble herself but we are considering changing doctors. Easy for him to say, his children are in college. The younger son was valedictorian at his high school graduation.

 

We hang on for Charlotte's fourth birthday when we locate a supposedly fine speech therapist. He gives her exercises to try. 'Watch me. See, I am keeping my tongue in the bottom of my mouth. It touches the back of my bottom teeth. Look at me. When you open your mouth, keep your tongue where I showed you and growl like a baby lion. Do it, Charlotte. That is an 'R'. You just did it. Try it again!' She tries and then cries, I can't do it. Weally, I can't.' Finally she throws a fit, stamps her feet and spits at me. With no hesitation I give her a good hard smack on her tush and deny her dessert at dinner. Joseph doesn't like the way I handle her one bit. Who is he to correct me when he doesn't practice with her? It's not a game. It's no fun. When I put her to bed, she hugs me tight. I hug her back.  Her little tear drops cure my anger. Sobbing words of regret pour out.

 

Weekly visits to the speech therapist, Dr. Kadish, cost a lot but sacrificing is what loving parents do. Charlotte complains. Charlotte wants to play with her dolls, her girlfriends. I give her Saturdays and Sundays free of her exercises and I get a breather as a bonus. Thanksgiving comes so fast, I almost miss it. Dr. Kadish will have no office hours until the following week. Joseph, I and Charlotte are invited for the turkey feast at our best friend's home. I hesitate accepting. Ralph and Rhoda  will be our host and hostess. They know all about our Charlotte's speech trouble and ignore it. That is acceptable to me but I know it won't be to Charlotte. She surprises me by telling me she loves turkey and wants to go to her boy friend's house for Thanksgiving.

 

She looks so cute when she stares at me and I almost faint. 'Mommy, Ralph and Rhoda are your best friends and I really wike them a wot. Wet's go.'