It's the distance. It's that we have rarely seen Noah. Noah clings to his momma and sister like a Koala Bear snuggles into a tree. He ain't going nowhere he doesn't know and find comfort it.
This desire to have his grandson want to be around him drove Jeff to some drastic measures.
We were cooped up inside from the afternoon summer rains. The thunderstorms had everyone heading to the front door and our big picture front window to see the pouring down rain. We talked Ian through the storms so he wasn't scared.
Then Jeff turned the next several minutes to his advantage.
He opened the front door.
Noah crept up next to him ever so slowly peeking outside, too.
Jeff pretended he didn't see him at first then he encouraged Noah to continue on to the front door mat wet from the pouring down rain (but still under cover). Noah sticks his little two feet out into the rain and quickly pulls it back. He inches out further and further each time looking up at Jeff to see if his Grandpa is going to pull him back in from the rain or scold him.
But, Jeff just grins and motions to us to come share in the goodness.
We watch and laugh as Noah gets his first drowning from the rains and still isn't pulled inside. He starts to dance and slap his feet in the puddles all the while the rain is coming down (Jeff ever ready to pull him back inside if the thunderstorms get to close)
It was this time, the story of the best time, when Grandpa Jeff opened the door for Noah as he played in the rain that opened the door for his relationship with Noah. It was so very much a story of the best time.