Wednesday, March 3, 2010

happy 25th birthday, jamie-jim

on the day my son came screaming and kicking into the world - perhaps as a result of getting his head stuck half way out - i was just a few months older than he is now. or maybe he knew my life wasn't about to get any easier.

i see a lot of myself in jamie. among traits we share is a tendency not to understand "no" as a reason to stop. jamie's toddlerhood was enlivened by periodic bursts of locking himself into rooms, climbing on top of the refrigerator via the countertops, then canisters; and literally swinging from the chandelier when i happened to leave the dining room table fully extended one day.

he also refused to believe it when i ran out of answers. i don't know the answer to that question, i'd plead, sometimes in desperation. and "oh, yes, you do," he'd bellow.

it was like he thought i was holding out on him. holding out, holding back... life with jamie was no holds barred much of the time.

no wonder i have a head of gray hair.

at any rate, jamie survived, i survived, and today he turns 25. happy birthday, jamie-jim, from the mommy who hopes you never hold back.

and furthermore, the war will end. blessed be.