KIDS & THE THINGS THEY SAY!
I have three boys.
My oldest (MO) is my smallest. He has always been focused, serious, and has a steel-trap memory. A little wiry great athlete who loves the finer things in life: girls, clothes and any stuffed animal that is super soft. Funny how he also has a fiery temper and excels in the art of manipulation! Presently fancies himself as a Momma’s boy.
My middle (MM) son is like fine crystal. Everything about this boy has a pattern with edge. Beyond his years. Often my teacher. There is fragility, studliness, and a big dose of self-awareness. Very modest and shy at first, he prefers to study before reaching out. Great swimmer, and unfortunately for his brothers, a great boxer. He feels everything very deeply and has an affinity for animals. We are very alike. Presently fancies himself as his own man.
My youngest (MY) is big in every way. His head, his tall solid body, his blue eyes, his lips, his laugh. He loves to love and is always the first to compliment. Announces to all that his mom looks beautiful or that dinner is delicious. Loves to eat, and then there is his love for his big brothers. Idol worship even though he endures being the brunt of whatever they decide to do with him. One hour he is the great playmate because he’ll do anything to get their attention, the next he's a punching bag or the victim of their teasing. Never occurs to him that his size would allow him to pummel them. The most cheerful and full of optimism. A humor like an old-school comedian: Johnny Carson meets Jackie Gleason. He reminds me to be so thankful. Presently fancies himself as Dad’s guy.
From when they started speaking, there was so much laughter. The things they would say to us and each other! Their reasoning, choice of words, their frankness; I never wanted to forget. We keep a book in the kitchen. As they say funny things we write them down with the date in the book. Inevitably once a year that book is read aloud, both the old and new entries. So funny. I tease them that I’ll read it to future girlfriends. I probably will! These are some of them.
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November 2, 2009
Conversation #3
Earlier this year we were in Austin, Texas for a family wedding. I was really looking forward to the trip. A whole section of my Dad’s family lived there. Time with them had always made special memories, but it wasn’t often enough. When I was 12, the family drove a Winnebago cross country to my Nanny and Papa’s house. My family met them there. My Aunt and Uncle had 3 daughters, just a little older than me. Even though we were very close in age, they seemed to be otherworldly. Each was uniquely pretty. They would wear jewelry and only take it off to swim. I would stare at the PIERCED earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces all jumbled together in a dish on a side table in my grandparent’s TV room. They would dive headfirst into the pool. Late at night they would disappear into the mysterious giant vehicle parked at the curb, only to emerge in the morning shiny as usual.
This weekend we found that the passing of the years moved us closer. We were the same. Such fun was had. Marriages had brought kids and our number had multiplied. The boys were in heaven. We were most of the hotel guests, so there was always family to eat with, swim with, hang in the lounge with. The other large party at the hotel was President Bill Clinton and his team. Considering Secret Service was everywhere, it felt super safe. The boys were allowed to take the elevator alone, but together. They would make plans to meet family somewhere and off they went. Constantly. So now we were all in our suburban one in a caravan going to the rehearsal dinner. MO, MM, and MY were already heady with all the independence, and now they were floating even higher on the compliments of how handsome they looked in their party outfits. As usual, I missed a turn and got separated from the caravan. I told everyone to help me look at street signs. MY pipes out:
MY: I could help you Mom, because I’m a genius. (He loves to recount every compliment he’s ever received with pride. Genius must have been bestowed at some point, and apparently it made quite an impression. He loved to recall it. Often.)
FRANCIS, JEROME, MOM, UNCLE NICK and his girlfriend MEGAN: (all smiling knowingly at each other) Oh Thank You MY! You ARE a genius! Etc.!
MY: (continues with a stream of dead-pan comic mumble, to no one in particular. Not even one breath until the finish.) I don’t know that many letters. Well, I do know the ones in MY. But I can’t read. I can count to 88. Not every single one. But I count to 20. For sure. There are two kinds of letters. I think. I don’t know how to drive, but I will learn it. And….( a ta da moment)… I still know I am the smartest guy in Texas!
Glad we were in the car.
