The Bald Goat

“I need you to build me a helicopter”

“With the MegaBlocks?” I say.

“No. A real helicopter, so that I can go to the zoo.”

Welcome to the world of logic and reason filled with random “where in the world did that come from” ideas that can only be understood by my son Seven. I have never met someone who could talk so much. Ever since the time he could talk he was carrying on conversations with people beyond what should be expected. Friends would look at me and say, “I have to remember that he is 2. We are just having this long conversation and I stop and think “How old is he again?”” From the time he opens his door in the morning until the time he finally goes to sleep at night he is talking. And if you listen closely, you will hear some of the best stuff in the world.

Seven is unique and stands out from the crowd. He doesn’t mind doing his own thing. Often when you have a bunch of kids together they will want to do the same things and act the same way. One kid will like the color green and e other kids will like the color green. One kid wants to swing and the other kids want to swing. But not Seven. His favorite color is orange and it doesn’t matter what you say, that is his favorite. He loves Barney and Thomas the Tank Engine. Like his mother, he would wear flip flops year round if you would let him! For more stories about Seven, check out my wife’s blog over here. There are so many things about Seven that I could go on and on…

He remembers. Seriously, it is odd how he remembers things. Over a year ago, he planed out what he wanted his next two birthday cakes to be. Still remembers. The rest of us had forgotten, but he remembers. And that is just a small example. I have wondered, what he will remember about growing up? What are the memories he will have of his childhood? 

We share at dinner time. We go around the table and share what our favorite part of the day was that day. It is a good chance to connect with each other and gets conversations going. It also helps us to look for good things in what sometimes seem like a bad day and appreciate the little things that can shine bright and made us smile. One day Seven made my day special. I don’t remember anything else that happened that day, but I do remember that after nap time, Seven climbed up into my lap and just cuddled with me. He must have stayed with me for 45 minutes or longer just curled up in my arms with his head on my chest. When I shared at the dinner table that night my favorite part of the day was when Seven cuddled with me you should have seen his face light up. And since then he has found many opportunities to come and cuddle with me. He has even asked me if that was my favorite part of the day. And usually it ranks right up there…

Seven watches me and pays attention to what I do. One day Rilian was crying in the backyard. I asked Piper what was going on and she said, “Its ok. Seven took care of him just like you do and he is fine now.” And she was right. Seven took care of Rilian, just like I would have done.

Lord, thank you for my son Seven. You gave me a special treat with this one! Open my eyes to all the small things that can make a day special. Let me always remember that someone is watching me and following my example. Help me to show him how to stand out in the crowd and shine a light to those around me.