Barry's Day

It's Barry's birthday!!!! His first birthday. I am beside myself with joy. The first year of his life has been the most important year of my life.

Despite being flat broke we have been able to keep him warm, clean and happy. My primary job is to keep the world at bay until he is ready for it. So far so good.

His mother, God bless her, has been there to clear an obstacle free path to his toddler stage of development. I play it by ear I know he is going to fall on his butt more times than I can count but his mother is determined to minimize that number.

No matter what, he soldiers on, stumbling through the living room with his favorite dumptruck as support; a sort of 'child walker'. He gives us a blow by blow commentary on his activities
as he expertly positions his feet to deftly lower himself and maybe pick something up.

I know a lot of kids his age are already walking. Barry is different, he knows he can get assistance and will vocally request any time he feels the need. In fact, I have left him standing in the middle of the room- out of his mothers view of course- he would look at me , frown up, then make a bee line straight to my legs laughing the whole way. You know, the guffaw laughs only kids can do. I am sure he is smarter than I was.

I sang happy birthday to him this morning and he knew what day it was. I am happy for him.

My son.