Learning to be Happy

I have watched Patrick grow ... in so many ways. He is a loving child who makes friends wherever he goes. Only recently has he shown any inclination to be shy. He is curious ... even more so when he knows he has seen his mother or father do something (cooking on the stove, working with knives, ...). He loves to help ... wiping down a table or sweeping the floor (it's actually not much help, but we all love it). And, best of all (I think), he always makes us laugh ... at him and at ourselves (and our expectations).

Children:

Make Friends Fast ... no worries about rejection or relationships.
Do Not Hold Grudges ... don't stay mad or gossip; when it's over, it is over.
Are Eternally Curious ... constantly trying new things and asking questions.
Are Confident ... strong self-esteem; willing to do more.
Play ... for the sake of playing. Nothing more.
Show Their Feelings ... the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Like Getting Dirty
Are Uninhibited ... in every sense of the word.
Care Less About The Price Tag ... unless it itches or scratches.
Can Be A Cheap Date
Are Funny ... naturally; when trying or not.
Always See The Best In Others
Are Honest ... sometimes brutally.
Never Keep A Secret ... back to the brutal honesty.

Comments

Terror or Anger

Jennifer and I woke about twenty minutes ago to Patrick crying ... nothing unusual. I asked her to get him since I have to start getting ready for work in about three hours (yes, I have to work on a Saturday). Where things became unusual was the loud, sustained crash, and Patrick's cries rising to a hefty scream. Being the concerned parent that I am ... with visions of his changing table collapsed on top of him, I rushed to their aid. "What was that?" I cried. Jennifer, weakly replied, "I fell down the stairs." With Patrick screaming at the top of his lungs, I think I actually asked her to repeat what she said. I found my wife sitting, with her legs out and my son in her arms, at the bottom of the stairs. Asking if she and Patrick were OK was mixed into confused questioning about what happened. Somehow, her feet went out from under her (we suspect a couple of the leaves that Patrick likes to play with were on the steps). While my real concern was i...

Morning Rite

This morning was unusual. Patrick woke at three in the morning and was still up and about when I got up for work at five. While there was nothing unusual to this point, having him join me in the bathroom as I got ready for my work day was ... I was closing the door and turning on the lights, when the door opened back up and there stood my son. He joined me. I put him on the counter with his feet in the sink while we brushed our teeth. I left him to his mother as I got into the shower. Patrick quickly opened the door to the shower. "Patrick, Papa's going to get cold in there," his mother intoned. I told her that it was warm enough in the bathroom. No water was splashing out, so I had few concerns. I passed toys to Patrick, only to have them thrown back at me. All fun and games! Then, he wandered off for a few seconds ... and the toilet flushed. So much for a warm shower! All in fun. What an amazing way to start the day ...

"Hello?"

We walked into my parents house ... looking for Papap. "Hello," we called. "'Ello," Patrick mimicked. "Hello," we called again, laughing a bit. "'Ello," Patrick mimicked again, delighted that he could get us laughing that easily. Out in the back yard, he went for the shovel (small blue plastic one I got for him a while back). "Maybe he should go shovel in the sand-box," Papap said ... Off he went to the sand-box, lugging the shovel. Later I asked him if he wanted raisins. Shaking his head no, he headed for the fridge. "Eeze," he said ... Cheese, he intended. His comprehension and vocal capacity is growing by leaps and bounds!

Fatherhood

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