The Greatest Thing Ever Heard

My three year-old grandson, Victor, is not what you would call a talker. He understands words, and can say things, it's just been easier for him to use ASL signs, and some that he made up himself, rather than to form the words and say them. I believe that this is the last obstacle he needs to overcome as a result of the set-backs from his first year of life. That has been discussed before, so I won't waste the time re-hashing things.
Every time he goes to one of his many doctors, therapists, and whatever-ologists, they validate his being a "normal, healthy boy," something I was pretty sure about, but it's nice to hear the experts confirm it. I admit, at first I wondered if he might have some developmental challenges, but as time went on, Victor has blossomed into this wonderfully loveable little three year-old boy.
I've talked about his being such a social critter, too, so I won't spend a lot of time on it, he's just so darned adorable. People who don't like kids love Victor. Maybe it's his blue eyes, or the wrinkle on the bridge of his nose when he smiles at you, or possibly that he has absolutely no fear of anyone, but he's almost irresistable. He is, actually, the exact opposite of my granddaughter, who is very chatty, but very withdrawn.
Victor loves his "Gmpa" (me) very much. He had not actually said it, but I know it from the way he reacts to seeing me, from the way he likes to cuddle with me, and a host of other behaviors. I would have to be pretty dense not to understand. Still, I take the opportunity to say, "I love you Victor," as often as I can. Imagine my reaction, when I hugged him on Monday, and told him, "I love you Victor," and he responded, "I love you Gmpa."
At first I didn't know if I'd actually heard it, but then I knew I had. I had to quickly excuse myself, and run out to my car before the tears started flowing. I didn't want to burden the babysitter with that sight. It was a few minutes, before I could collect myself enough to drive home, but I was a very happy grampy.
In my life, I have heard some great things, said by great people. With my own ears, I heard JFK's inaguration speech, MLK's I had a dream... speech, Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" I've watched men stepping on the moon, and heard, "That's one small step..." I have heard many important and historical things in my life. All of that pales in comarison to four words spoken by a three year-old miracle, "I love you Gmpa."