Whenever I go to Audrey’s home, whether for a quick drop-off of something-or-other or for an afternoon, 2-year old Benjamin comes running from wherever he is, gives me a great big hug and says in the most welcoming of ways, “Take your coat off.”

This means I’m staying.

As I unzip my coat or vest or sweatshirt, I can see his smile widen and his heart soar.  It is the most wonderful feeling in the world to feel so welcomed.  I have even come to taking off my coat when I’m only staying for a teeny while because Benjamin so loves this little greeting between us.

Today, when I visited my Mom in the rehab center, she was in a rehab class a few doors from her room.  I  wandered down the hallway and watched for awhile from just outside the door… watching her excel in all the things she’s supposed to be doing.  This rehab session was a group one, and all the participants were laughing and having a good ole time.  I loved watching.

When the class was over, my Mom saw me in the hallway and hurried over with the help of her walker.  The first thing she said was, “Take your coat off…” in the most welcoming of ways.

I did.

I sat with my Mom while she had lunch and then we went for a long stroll up and down the hallways of the rehab center.  It was wonderful.

I can’t believe how much I’ve come to love those four little words strung together. “Take your coat off…”  Four simple words that mean so very, very much.