GLASGOW — Our middle child, a son sandwiched between two daughters, seemed in a hurry to grow up from the time he first learned to crawl. He was a busy little entrepreneur during his childhood, always creating ideas and projects, and always much more intense than his sisters.
Even before he had made it into double digit age, he had proved himself to be rather industrious. For small audiences of family and friends, he directed and performed plays and magic acts that featured himself and his sisters. He demonstrated a strong work ethic with his eagerness to do whatever task was available. Money he earned during his young years was spent carefully, if at all. Much of it was put into savings accounts, and he soon developed a plan to become a millionaire.
I recall one spring afternoon when he rushed to me and proclaimed, “I need more allowance, Dad. Got anything I can do?” He was so anxious, he didn’t even pause for my response. “I’ll do anything. I’ll clean up the house, take out the garbage, wash the car, rake the leaves--”
“Hold on,” I interrupted. “It’s springtime, the season of buttercups. There are no leaves to rake. And we only have a couple of trees.”
“Then I’ll plant more trees. I’ll work hard. I just need more allowance.”
That’s the way he was, always busy, always in a hurry.
For one of his early birthdays, I composed a poem and gave it to him. Entitled “To My Son,” it was published in a magazine and he seemed pleased to have been its inspiration.
Among the lines were these: “You run much too much/ Watch me walk/ I’ve learned to trust time.”
A few days after the poem’s publication, we got a call from his elementary school teacher. He was causing a problem in one of his classes.
“What kind of problem?” I couldn’t imagine any situation that would prompt such a call concerning my son.
The teacher reported, “He’s refusing to run in PE class. He says his dad doesn’t want him to. Something about a poem.”
So we read the poem together, and I tried to explain figurative language. He simply wanted to know if he could run in PE class or not.
“Certainly, run in PE,” I told him. Then I almost added something about also slowing down a bit at other times, but I didn’t want to risk further confusion.
He seems to have learned to trust time these days. He’s continuing to live a magical life, yet he’s not quite in such a hurry. He’s still motivated, though, and still busy.
Today he celebrates his 35th birthday. We’ve got a gift for him, but it’s not a poem.
Features
Son learns about trusting time
- Features
-
- ROTARY REPORT: Barren ROTC to be topic Thursday
-
SLIDESHOW: Sports figures react to Joe Paterno's death
Players, coaches and sports journalists took to Twitter on Sunday morning to react to the death of former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.
-
Viral video: Announcer goes nuts after full-court shot wins game
One college basketball play-by-play radio host likely needed some throat lozenges when he woke up Sunday morning, a day after his shocked, screaming reaction to a game-winning basket.
-
Viral video: Groom surprises bride with Justin Bieber dance
The choreographed wedding dance is a staple of a healthy viral video diet, right up there with cute kittens and babies laughing at everyday sounds. Still, it's hard not to smile when you watch one as well-executed as this groom's Justin Bieber tribute to his new bride.
-
Viral video: Anchor has Ron Burgundy moment on live TV
A morning meteorologist at a TV station in Green Bay, Wis., had a real-life Ron Burgundy moment this week thanks to a prank by one of his co-workers.
-
Christmas sights
A dog at the entrance of a house on North Race Street got a festive touch for the holidays.
-
Viral video: Woman makes amazing hockey goal, wins truck
Some folks are calling it a "miracle on ice." A 59-year-old woman who had never held a hockey stick made a nearly impossible goal, sending a puck into a tiny opening to win a brand new truck.
-
Viral video: FedEx guy tosses computer monitor over fence
During the holidays more than any other time, shoppers rely on delivery services to bring important packages to their doorsteps safe and sound. But a YouTube video gone viral shows that sometimes, packages aren't exactly handled with care.
-
Viral video: Senior citizens stage flash mob
Flash mobs aren't just for teenagers anymore. A group of senior citizens proved it recently after staging a song and dance inside the Christmas decorations department of the Target store in Lawrence, Kan.
-
Guide to this year's hottest gift: The tablet
Tablet computers and e-readers are extremely popular and are expected to be strong sellers this holiday season despite a weak economy. But the array of models and brands can confound many potential gift-givers. Check out this guide to tablet-giving on any budget.
- More Features Headlines
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
