Heros Have to Start Somewhere

This is my oldest son.

He just turned 5.

Ok, Ok, well it seems like he just turned 5!

He actually just turned...(gulp) 19!

Oh Lordy! Can I be that old?

Maybe.

Do I feel that old?

HECK NO!

Because it is his Birthday,

as all mothers, fathers and anyone who has someone special

celebrating a Birthday knows...

A flood of memories comes this day.

Memories of how fast the time flew by,

and how the heck did it go by so fast!?

I am going to share with you

one of my most favorite memories of this curly headed kid

A defining moment.

Before I get started on this tale,

Let me first share this 

I know you will find this hard to believe...but I was a shy kid.

Yep!

 Hide behind my parents legs shy!

It was painful. I hard a hard time in school.

Kids teased me, one in particular was down right mean!

Because of this I worried about my son.

I did not want him to struggle as I did.

The thought of kids picking on him?

Made my blood boil!

(Anyone seen the Hand that Rocks the Cradle)

I would have been like the nanny!

SERIOUS!

Also with that being said,

 I  taught him the importance of being kind.

To everyone.

To share, and try to get along.

Mind your teachers and do as they say.

So much to prepare your little scholar for!

It was his kindergarten year.

 This was when my son's true character would show.

After the Christmas break I recieved a note from the school.

It explained due to many of the children not paying attention in class,

"toys" and other items were not allowed.

Only on the designated Friday could the children bring one item for show & tell.

Well? I guess that made sense.

So I explained it to my little crayon carrier.

No toys.

Only on Fridays.

Simple enough.

Well So I thought.

Thursday, came.

As I was zipping his jacket, I noticed his little pockets?

They were Quite full.

I reached in and pulled out a letter magnet?

I reached in his other pocket...

His pockets were stuffed full of the brand new alphabet letters

he had gotten from "Santa!"

He had stuffed as many as he could fit in his small little pockets.

I was stunned.

 

Son?

You know I told you could not take any toys to school?

I explained this already.

You cannot take anything to school except on Fridays?

Show and Tell Only!

(I was stern.)  

I did not want my child to be the

"Rebel"

He needed to understand.

I kept my voice controled and firm.

Do you remember?

He nodded his little hooded head up and down.

Then why would you disobey me?

Why?

After I explained this to you would you still take toys to school?

Do you want to get in trouble?

He shook his head slowly.

I thought I was doing this parenting thing right?

Explain, be patient, make sure they understand?

He understood a few days ago?

I was at a loss.

"Ok" I asked,

Then why did you fill your pockets with your new letters?

 To which he replied looking right into my questioning eyes.

"Yesterday a new boy came to our class.

and we are learning letters." 

"Mom he can't see."

 "Our teacher said it was cuz he was blind.

And my letters have those little bumps on them. 

You said it was so kids that can't see can read too?"

 "I wanted to help him, so he could learn his letters." 

Well let me tell you...

As my eyes welled up,

And I tried not to burst into tears!

I put all those letters in a bag.

Wrote a note to the teacher.

Gave him a great big hug.

& 

Told him how proud I was of him.

Oh and yes I felt like one of those tiny bumps on the magnets!

That was the day.

My Son became My Hero.

He never had a problem with shyness, or making friends.

Here I thought I was supposed to teach him to be a good & kind person.

He was teaching me.

And he continues to teach me.

Thank you my magnet toting son.

Happy Birthday

I Love You