I speak of my prodigy

As I sit here hacking my lungs right out of my chest, I look to my left and see my son reading.

He is fascinated with the world of Hogwart's School of Wizadry and Magic. He thinks Dumbledore is one of the most amazing wizards of all time. And he thinks Hagrid is super cool just because he's really tall.

Just now a group is performing on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They start singing "Folsom Prison Blues" and he slowly looks up to watch intently because he LOVES this song. He continues to watch as they drift into a medley of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis songs. Because who wouldn't love that?

My son has an amazing imagination, a budding passion for reading and story telling, and a love for music that will eventually rival my own.

He wants to wake up at 3am on Black Friday this year, just to get a DS game for $7.99 and then head off to Bob Evan's for breakfast.

I seriously don't think I've ever met a seven year old who has a brain like my son. Of course I am a bit biased I suppose. Either way I am very thankful for my son. He has enriched my life in ways I could have never imagined.

I like to assume that all parents feel this way because thinking anything else is just too sad.

I'm going to stop typing now and play with my son. Because he's bored and he just loves to show off the things he can do.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving...and remember to give thanks every day. Not just on Turkey Thursdays.

GET IN M'BELLY!!

The night of Snuggle and Sneaky Smooches.

Picture it. It's 1999, people are partying like it's...oh wait. Let's start again. Picture it. A dark smoky hick bar; the smell of whiskey and beer fills the air. The music is load and the beer is cheap. Someone is crooning - not so well I might add - off in the corner; trying to follow the words highlighted on the small television screen. They aren't doing a great job. I turn to my cousin Lisa and laugh. But I still clap when they are done. Anyone who has the courage to sing in front of a crowd deserves applause. I checked the clock on the wall. I catch Lisa out of the corner of my eye. She can probably tell I'm nervous and I brush it off so nobody will notice. I'm not very successful. The same people kept coming in. People I'd seen before, coming out to the bar on the corner to sing or watch people sing. It was my turn to sing next and I was worried he'd walk in while I was standing at the microphone. I wanted to make a good impression. 20 or so more minutes passed and it was getting crowded. I was growing more and more nervous and everyone around me could tell too. I was acting wierder than normal. A man walked in to my left. He had piercing blue eyes and dark hair - my weakness - and he was SO cute! He walked around me and I held my breath to see if he would walk up to Lisa. I swear a lifetime passed as he took the two or three steps up to my cousin. He said hi to her and a huge grin appeared on my face. She introduced us. He seemed shy (my other weakness). I internally kicked myself for wearing my Alanis Morrisette concert t-shirt with the paint splotches on it. But he didn't seem to mind. One of my friends got up so he sat down beside me. For the first time since I could remember I was not interested in being the social butterfly. I was on deck to sing again and I was even more nervous now. I didn't want to show off but I wanted to sound good too. I was singing "You Oughta Know". Would he think I was an angry chick? Would he not like me singing a song that has the 'F' word in it? Shit, I added another in there too, would he not like that? Bones called my name and I walked up to sing. I didn't hold back. I can't anyway, it's not in my nature. When I was done I walked back to my seat and he told me I was really good. I don't remember his exact words but I remember he sounded like he was sort of shocked. My cousin and her husband Tracy left around 11pm and she kept asking me if I was going to be okay. I kept reassuring her that I was fine (trying hard not to roll my eyes at her) and they left. We sat together the rest of the night. I have no clue what we talked about but I know we were both smiling. Someone sang a slow song and he asked me to dance. I held his hand and he slowly wrapped his other hand around my waist. I leaned in a bit and noticed he smelled like Snuggle. It made me smile even more. Any man who lived alone (and who wasn't gay) and used fabric softener was someone worth getting to know. We only danced a few times and sat talking the rest. I remember laughing with him and realizing that I wasn't faking it. He smelled good, AND he made me laugh. This was too good to be true. Before we realized it, they were turning on the lights in the bar and kicking us out. He asked me if he could call me and I said yes. So we quickly wrote each others' numbers down on the back of a paper place-mat. It was cold out but we walked slowly to my car. I offered to drive him down to his truck since he was parked at the other end of the lot. But he kindly refused. We talked for a minute or two more and then he hugged me goodbye. And somehow slowly slipped his head around to gently kiss me. NOBODY had ever done that before and I was literally stunned. He said a quick 'talk to you later' and ran off to his truck. I watched him the entire way; a grin on my face. That was the night we met, 12 years ago today. I never imagined our paths would take us to where we are now. But on that night I was smitten. I still remember exactly what he was wearing and how his eyes drew me in. To this day, when I smell Snuggle it reminds me of that night. Wonder where we'll be 12 years from now?

Knowing isn't half the battle, it just makes you aware.

I have been living a lie. There; I said it. Doesn't change anything.