as if the whole world's been waiting for him

Most places we go, especially places with other children - like playgrounds or the church nursery, the zoo or fast food eateries - Tuck enthusiastically announces his own arrival.

"Hey guys, I'm here.  It's me, Tucker.  Here I am!"

His eagerness to make friends is so obvious it could be an identifying feature - shaggy blond hair, dirty fingernails, affable demeanor.
He runs full speed ahead toward perfect strangers, eyes wide with extraordinary warmth, smiling more from habit than from any particular expectation, voice confident and clear.  I'm here.

And I can think of a few of us who will always be glad when he shows up.
JEB