March 15, the Ides of March, up until 35 years ago only commemorated the date Julius Caesar died. But 35 years ago it also became my oldest son's birth date. Today I want to honour him by putting in words a few of the ways he has contributed to my life.
Being my first, I learned more from him than he ever did from me. He had (and still has) a tenacious, inquisitive mind already at the age of three. It was not unusual on our 30 minute ride home together from my work and his childcare centre to ask questions like this
Being my first, I learned more from him than he ever did from me. He had (and still has) a tenacious, inquisitive mind already at the age of three. It was not unusual on our 30 minute ride home together from my work and his childcare centre to ask questions like this
- Which is stronger a bull or a lightening bolt?
- How close to heaven do air planes fly?
- Why is the sky blue?
Science was never my forte, but he was interested in it from the start. Surely he just wanted a simple answer, but me, I wanted to try to explore how to give him an answer so we'd discuss each topic, which only brought on more good and unanswerable questions for me.
If I said I didn't know he'd say something to the effect, if you don't offer an answer how will I learn. He couldn't read yet, what a blessing it was when he could get answers to these questions for himself. He did teach me patience, not an easy task for anyone, much less a child.
If I said I didn't know he'd say something to the effect, if you don't offer an answer how will I learn. He couldn't read yet, what a blessing it was when he could get answers to these questions for himself. He did teach me patience, not an easy task for anyone, much less a child.
At the age of 6 we took a trip to Alaska to see among other things the glaciers. On the way we stopped at Seward to check out the fishing. As we adults walked on the docks, this son found someone from our home area and managed to negotiate dinner at his home. My son was very personable and convincing, even at an early age. His need to explore caused the family to take many camping and trips to zoos and natural museums when he was young. He taught me to enjoy seeing these events with child-like wonder.
In elementary school he was found to be "gifted" which was a relief to me. I thought perhaps I had done something wrong in raising him, but it was only his intellect. By high school, however, this type of specialness was not something to be flaunted and so he didn't study and still managed to get average grades.
By the time he started university I knew he would struggle to find a major because his interests were so far-reaching. And sure enough he ended up creating his own major, one where he could start answering more inquiring questions in the realm of plant science. That was followed by a Ph.D. where I could not keep up in any way with what he was doing. But this son was keen on breaking things down for me so I could understand in general what he was studying. The mind coming up with those probing questions posed as a 3 year old is now probing into plant pest problems. Thus he has come full circle asking and answering those types of questions.
Lex, you have throughout your life challenged me in the best of all ways to be a better Mom, learner, and person. I am so happy you entered my life 35 years ago and changed forever the meaning of the Ides of March for me.
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y!!!!!!!!!!
Lex, you have throughout your life challenged me in the best of all ways to be a better Mom, learner, and person. I am so happy you entered my life 35 years ago and changed forever the meaning of the Ides of March for me.
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y!!!!!!!!!!
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| The birthday boy - MAN |
(If you know him, you know this look because you've seen it on him over and over. Yes, he is physically present, but his mind is a million miles away probing into some problem somewhere.)
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