I started to blog in June of 2008
mainly as a sort of a diary to keep my memories of my son. I knew that time
would pass to quickly. And it has. I wrote this post on June 18, 2008 with this
photo:
“Though Ethan is expressing his individuality and independence -- often proclaiming "I can do it myself" or "I need my privacy" or "I want to ride down the street alone," there are times when he is a daddy's boy and wants nothing more than to curl up in my lap. There's really nothing better than that, and I know the years will rush by. I'm enjoying these special moments as I can.”
On the cusp of being 13 years old in January, Ethan is exploring is his world and dreaming of his future. Wait for me Ethan! Hold on!
“Though Ethan is expressing his individuality and independence -- often proclaiming "I can do it myself" or "I need my privacy" or "I want to ride down the street alone," there are times when he is a daddy's boy and wants nothing more than to curl up in my lap. There's really nothing better than that, and I know the years will rush by. I'm enjoying these special moments as I can.”
That sentiment has not changed despite the years.
As he approaches his teen years, I relish the special moments we share.
On Saturday, my son and I spent the day doing just
stuff. We both got haircuts. Our wonderful barber mentioned that Ethan is getting
taller every time he gets a haircut. He is 12 years old and about 5’5”.
Of course we all laughed that his haircut takes a long
time because he has really thick hair unlike his dad.
After that, we had lunch together.
Simply have a quiet lunch with my son made me sentimental. He chatted about
school, hinted about girls (not too much because I am just the dad), friends, dreams,
his interests, music, etc. I often grinned when he would make an irreverent comment.
After lunch, he rated the cheeseburger and fries. “It was a 7 Dad.”
When we got the check, I asked him if
he had any money. “Dad. I paid the tab for you, Mom and me on Black Friday
using my lawn mowing money. Do not push your luck!” And he laughed. I paid.
That afternoon, we saw the movie
“Justice League.” As we do rating his cheeseburgers and fries, we rate
previews and the actual movies. The scale is the proverbial “Up or Down” plus
“1 to 10.”
That rating system has been in place almost 6
years.
After my strokes when it was difficult for me to
speak at all, Ethan avoided me. Starting to see movies together helped with our
healing process. My wife would drop us off because I could not drive. In the
darkness of the movie theater our raw feeling of loss started to heal. I did
not have to talk. Often, Ethan would hold my hand. "Everything is find Dad."
After the movie on Saturday, we headed home. He went
upstairs to his room, and I followed. I hugged him saying, “Ethan! Thank you
for hanging out with me today. We did really do anything other than just being
together.”
He hugged be back, and said, “I really love you,
Dad.”
I went downstairs feeling really emotional and teary
eyed. He yelled from his room when I was on the stairs, “Dad! Everything is
fine.”
Perhaps this blog post seems pretty “oh hum.” Just
an ordinary day. Yet, it was everything to me. When you almost lose
everything, nothing is ordinary.On the cusp of being 13 years old in January, Ethan is exploring is his world and dreaming of his future. Wait for me Ethan! Hold on!
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