Once upon a time that big boy there drove me crazy. He arrived as one half of a set of twins and he was by far the more adventuresome of the two. As a neophyte mother, still trying to carve out some semblance of peace and quiet, his determination to jump in every puddle, eat (literally) every book in the house and paint walls with banned substances, I often saw him as nothing but a challenge. I could see his potential, his gentleness and kindness, but my level of frustration left me blind more often than not. How times have changed.
And how he blazed the trail for some similar personalities that would arrive after him.
Please, if you are overwhelmed by your boy so filled with pluck and fire and general-boy-badness, know that this one grew into such a nice young man. All those qualities of tremendous kindness and intelligence that we could see even as a baby have blossomed into elements of a truly delightful personality. I don't think that he would have been a natural with babies and young children if he had not been placed at the head of a pack of them. The fact that being the oldest of such a group has fostered these abilities in him gladdens my heart.
It helps that he is also very physically strong. He is five inches shorter than me and the day that he towers over me is becoming easier to imagine. Often I see him out of the corner of my eye and think that Dave has come into the room.
His physical strength is especially helpful when those perched on his shoulders try to kiss him.
And those books that he once chewed to pieces? He devours them in a much more figurative sense, now that he can actually read.
Jacob has become a son that I can truly rely on. (He tells me that getting a job in Florida is on his bucket list so that I can spend my winters down South!) Even more so, he has developed into a wonderful conversationalist and is chock-full of interesting facts and stories gleaned from his copious reading. What a delight it is to raise him and watch him grow into a young man.
2 comments:
Well, I should have chimed in earlier. I'm sure you must know what a treat this is to me to read, having two boys both of whom who have not reached the age of reason; I am truly looking forward to this stage.
Jacob is a delight to br around. My kids look up to him a lot.
I can relate to a son like this and he is my eldest. Tell Jacob. Matt now lives in Florida, married and expecting their first in Sept. And they own an Olympic size rink/facility! Who would have thunk it (as your Mum would say!) The world is their oyster! Reach for the stars and you'll get there!
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