It's occurred to me that when I write, it's often about Ben or Gus. Ben is my oldest, and I'm continually experiencing issues with him for the first time. And Gus? Well, that's easy - he tends to challenge me, and consequently I spend a lot of time worrying and thinking about him.
"Paul is the quintessential middle kid, isn't he?" my sister-in-law, Emily, observed recently. We were at my nephew's birthday party at the pizza place/arcade, and Paul was trying to guide Gus about the correct party etiquette. "Eat your pizza first, and then we can play some games." Emily was right, Paul is the perfect middle child.
Yesterday, I went to school to watch Paul conduct a science experiment for his class. I hadn't realized he was supposed to bring his own materials, so he couldn't do the experiment that day. Instead, Gus and I stayed for the last part of Paul's day. I watched with joy as Paul encouraged Gus to come sit on the floor with him. He sat there with his arm around his brother the whole time.
It can't be easy to be Paul. He's stuck between Ben, an academic standout and an always-voracious athletic competitor, and Gus, who by his very nature often takes the spotlight through either positive or negative behaviors.
By contrast, Paul is quieter and more contemplative. My middle boy isn't much for sports. He'd rather create with his box of markers and paper or maybe engage in some kind of imaginative play with his younger brother.
When he was younger, Paul was the boy who cried - sobbed - when I left him anywhere. These days, he's become more outgoing, but at the same time, he still likes to stick close to Mom. To my delight, Paul has amassed a group of buddies, and he's a good and loyal friend.
All of this isn't to say that Paul is an angel. Boy, can he make himself heard when he's angry. That comes with being a middle too, I suppose.
On this, the eve of his 8th birthday, I've been reflecting on all that is special about my sweet boy. Paul loves animals. Sea turtles were his first object of affection, but there have been many others since then.
This summer, we had a house finch nesting in our hanging basket. One day, I went to water it while the boys were playing outside. I was unaware that the baby birds were sitting in their nest, and they did not enjoy being sprayed with the cold water. The babies flew down and landed in our lawn (don't worry - all were fine). Paul watched the whole scene with wonder and amazement - and promptly fell in love with birds. I think we checked out every bird book in the library.
Paul has been the impetus behind some of our best adventures of the past year. Whereas I might have just spent yet another day at home, my boy urged us to go to the nature center. We had the best time taking a walk and spotting animals, including a teeny-tiny frog.
This fall, Paul's love of birds led us to a special raptors event at the Audubon center in Milwaukee. I'll never forget the look on Paul's face as he got a close-up look at owls, hawks and eagles.
One of my favorite aspects of motherhood is all that my kids have taught me. Through Paul, my love of nature and the world around me has grown. Because of him, I now pay attention to the red-tailed hawk that is perched on the telephone pole.
Whether Paul is asking me to devise an art project or begging me to take a walk to a nearby field to see if we can spot a sandhill crane, he makes me a better, richer person. What a gift he is.
No comments:
Post a Comment