The first spoken word

Today I learned about Chanukah, spinning the dreydle, money that is really foil covered chocolate (gelt).
The holiday reminds you that you shouldn't take "light", or anything, like language, or the very first word ever spoken, for granted.

This morning I said "Da-Da." My parents freaked. Mom looked at me and pointed at daddy, lying, dazed, in his smelly orange t-shirt, and she said to me, "Is that daddy? Do you know who that person is?"

I waited a beat and said, "Da-Da." I pronounced each "Da" like a unique decleration.

My dad smiled, "Her first word is 'daddy'. I win! Say it again." I looked at both da-da and ma-ma. Poor ma-ma, she'd have to wait till probably March of 2007. I then plopped my head down and took a small nap. The pressure: speaking is tiring."