My Pride, My Joy

The past two nights, I’ve had to take Jack to stay with friends for the evening while I putter about doing law school activities (the husband and baby were out of town).  The first night, my best law school friend graciously changed her dinner plans with a bunch of people.  They were going to meet at a restaurant, but instead she hosted a dinner party at her place, and let Jack crash it.  When I came by to pick him up, there were law students rolling around on the floor with him playing dinosaurs.  They were all so excited to tell me about the evening, talking over one another, telling silly stories about things Jack had said, games they’d played with him.  They each solemnly shook his hand before he left.  He said ‘good night’ and ‘nice to meet you’ as we walked out the door, and then once we were outside, he turned to me and said “It night, mama.  It dark.  I go sweep.”  And he did, mere minutes after we came home.

Then the second night, another law school friend of mine and his wife took over the Jack duties.  They walked with him to the park, and took videos of him feeding the ducks.  They made pizza together, and he even ate some.  When I came to pick him up, he was cuddled up on the couch with his new friend Tabby, watching some kid’s movie.  There were sharks and trucks on the floor.  His shoes were by the door.  His face split into a sweet smile when he saw me, and he breathed “Mama” with such love in his voice.  He ran to my arms.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of this little guy.  I love that he is so lovable.  I love that he is so flexible.  I love that he is friendly and sweet and enthusiastic and easygoing.  Even people who don’t really like kids find Jack tolerable at least, and pretty fun at best.  And people who do like kids invariably tell me that he’s the greatest kid they know.  He has best little friends at school – he’s the most popular kid there, because he’s so excited by every activity, and so friendly to every single person in the room.  He’s unfailingly polite – yes please, no thank you, nice to meet you, thank you very much.  I never imagined hearing a little voice say “yes please” could make my heart swell to bursting.

My pride.  My joy.  My biggest boy.  He is the light of my life, and I’m so glad to have him.  He’ll be three in about three weeks.  Sigh.