Friday, May 28, 2010

Happy Birthday, Theodore


Our little Theodore is turning eight years old this weekend.
Our little Theo will be eight.
It's the most natural thing in the world, isn't it? He was born about eight years ago, and now he'll turn eight. If you look at it that way, it makes sense.
Early this morning, Dad walked into his room. Theo was wearing tiny little short shorts and a pajama T-shirt and was talking calmly to his mother.
"What are you talking about?" Dad asked.
"Theo is turning eight this weekend," said Mom, and Theo looked up at his dad and just smiled. At that moment, I saw a change in him. He was a real boy now. Before, he was just a little boy.
Skinny kid. So well-behaved. At a friend's birthday party when he was six, an adult told all the children to sit down on the grass. Of course, all the kids ran off in all directions, grabbing for toys and for candy. Except Theo. He was sitting down on the grass, awaiting further instructions. Sometimes he is so sweet and trusting, it makes a parent worry. Sensitive. Shy. Artistic. Little explorer of the Club Penguin, and a Pokemon expert.
And now, and eight year old.