I walked into my grandparents' house tonight and set my bags down. The door at the end of the hall swings open and Grammy, ever smaller than the last time I saw her. She stares at me, expecting a mugging perhaps. They finally started locking the doors after one of the cars (unlocked with the keys inside, for convenience) was stolen from the front parking lot.

This is it. Surely this is the day I've been dreading when I come home and she doesn't recognize me. There's really no preparing for that day.

I walk towards the door and that wobbly, perfect voice hits my ears. "Oh! Asa!" Thank goodness. "I shouldn't have turned out those lights. It's a dark welcome we've left for you."

But it was a welcome none the less.