A Good Day

Remember earlier this month I wanted to revisit times in my life when I was more connected to my son? I got my wish yesterday.

The boy came with me to school because I needed an extra pair of hands (we had Game Day, a Faculty/Fifth Grade kickball game and a Sundae Party). I figured the boy would be handy, AND could help me pack my room.

I woke him at 5:45 - WAY early for him, and we left the house by 6:30. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up lunch and the ice cream for the Sundae Party, then went to Starbucks so he could try the new Banana Frappacino. On the drive to school, we talked. I found out he's more committed to donating his hair to Locks of Love because one of his very good friends (he had a crush on her earlier in the year but now he says he loves her like a sister) was diagnosed with cancer. I don't know what kind, and he said he hasn't known very long, but she's on the medication and is losing her hair. So this weekend, we're going to get his hair cut.

He talked about music, and school, and being on the newspaper next year. He talked about maybe being a high school teacher so he could connect with the kids like his favorite teacher does.

We got to school, and everyone oohed and ahhed over how tall he was and how long his hair was. My little girl from New Orleans was scared of him (he is pretty big - I think he's past 6'2 now) but once we got back into the classroom and set up the games and the boy sat with her and played, she got over it.

He watched the kids while I played kickball with the teachers - we won!! 15-6! I had a sacrifice RBI. Then we went back in, played more games. I loved watching my boy with my kids. He explained things so patiently, and let them hang on him (my student who is his name twin wouldn't leave him alone ;) ). My boy moved from game to game, playing, and the kids were so thrilled when he sat with them. They wanted him to eat lunch with them, but he ate with the teachers. One of the kids brough Scrabble and we both got hooked. I said we'd get the game (though we have a closetful of games we rarely play.)

After school, I'd promised we'd go to the Witte Museum because it's free on Tuesdays and he wanted to see a special exhibit they had there called In the Dark. The commercial had said it would be there through June 4, but when we got to the Witte, the exhibit was gone - Monday was the last day. So we went to the Science Treehouse.

Let me tell you, the Treehouse is cool, but mostly full of little kids. But my big, tall boy had the best time playing on the green screen weather wall, banging on the Stomp-like percussion, playing with air pressure. I actually ran into one of my students and her dad and brothers there. The dad thought my boy was 17! He's only 14!

We went through the whole museum, talking and he was joking around. We watched the prarie dogs play (who knew?) and went to the log cabins out back and went BACK to the Treehouse (did I mention I was exhausted? But I didn't say a word because this was the day I'd been wishing for.) And on the way to the car, he saw the Texas Rangers museum and wondered if anyone went there, and said he'd like to go someday.

We stopped at Panda Express for dinner, came home and watched LOST and I could barely hold my head up. I was in bed before 9!!! (Of course, I woke up at 2 AM and couldn't go back to sleep.) But it was a wonderful, wonderful day.

15 comments:

Marianne Arkins said...

Mary,

What a great day for you! Your "boy" seems like he's really got his head on straight -- not a common occurance in teens nowadays. You should be proud.

Locks of Love -- a great charity. I'm actually letting my hair grow out a bit more so I can donate in a few months (hubby is going to HATE my short hair, but he'll have to deal... it's a good cause). I'm trying to convince my 7 y.o. DD to do the same. Her hair is down to her rear end.

Good for him.

Good for you.

I wish you many more days like that!

MJFredrick said...

Thanks, Marianne! I am really proud of him. I'm thinking about doing the Locks of Love thing, too, after National.

Tracy Montoya said...

That sounds like a wonderful day, Mary. Your son sounds awesome.

Anonymous said...

What a great kid you've raised! Sounds like a fun day. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful day Mary. I'm so glad for you! And woo hoo to your son for being on newspaper. :-)

Kelly Boyce said...

Sounds like you had a great day, Mary!

Dana Pollard said...

How awesome! It's stories like that that make me want a boy so bad...

You are blessed.

Dee Tenorio said...

Wow Mary! See, when we voice the things we want and need, they really can happen!

That's the kind of day moms usually only dream of!

Big smooches!
Dee

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful day, Mary :)

Unknown said...

That sounds like a wonder day! And a great charity!

Rachel Vincent said...

Wow, what a wonderful day with your son. I'm so happy for you both.

April said...

What a wonderful day. And my, what a boy you have. Over 6'2" and only 14. What are you feeding him? ;)

Colleen Gleason said...

You raised a great guy, Mary. Congrats and cherish the day.

MJFredrick said...

He is a great kid, very much a mind of his own. It's so interesting to see how different he is from my brother, who's 17 and a people-pleaser. My boy has always had a strong sense of right and wrong, which makes me proud. He's also got enough of his dad's patience to balance my drive. I'm so proud of him, I could burst.

As for what I feed him....apparently purloined chocolate is his food of choice. I fell asleep last night after dinner, and he ate my cookie! He's also eaten a candy bar and a chocolate bunny without asking....

Trish Milburn said...

What a cool day, Mary! I smiled all the way through this post.

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I'm a mom, a wife, a teacher and a writer. I have five cats and a dog to keep me company. I love bookstores and libraries and Netflix - movies are my greatest weakness.
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