Not Too Grown Up

To my son Tommy,

The other night you declared that you are no longer afraid of the dark when you go to bed.  Despite that this new turn of events was brought about by a pillow pet dream light, it is still a very grown up thing to claim.

You have been able to drink out of a grown up cup by yourself for a couple years now.  Despite this, we still normally give you some type of protected cup though I don't quite think of it as a sippy cup.  Today, you looked at me and asked to unscrew the lid so you can drink it normal.  Again growing up so fast.

There is at least one area of your life that you are still ready to enjoy as a child.  No matter how grown up you think you are, the pictures show you are willing to wait patiently for your chance to visit with Santa!  The Christmas spirit is alive and well in your soon to be five year old self.  The pictures also show your ever present style and flair with that hat and sweater vest, which seems to have served you well since you are holding hands with one of your classmates in the first picture.  I don't even want to consider where that falls on the growing-up/innocence scale.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Cricket

To my son Tommy,

Chirp, chirp, chirp ... My eyes bolted awake at 5 AM
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... You got to be kidding me?
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... A cricket?  Maybe if I ignore it, it will just go away.
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... Arrghh I NEED my sleep!  I will just pull this pillow over my head.
Muffled chirp, muffled chirp, muffled chirp ... For the love of all things good and holy!
Muffled chirp, muffled chirp, muffled chirp ... Through a pillow?!?  You must be the loudest cricket ever!
Muffled chirp, muffled chirp, muffled chirp ... I jumped up, tore off my cpap mask and threw on the light.
Silence, silence, silence ...  Oh I am not falling for that!  Where are you, you little $&%+
Silence, silence, silence ...  I know what is going to happen if I don't find you.  Show yourself!
Silence, silence, silence ...  I turn off the light.  Put on my cpap mask and lay down.
Silence, silence, silence ...  I start to doze off thinking maybe I can get another hour of sleep.
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... GAH!  Maybe if I take the time to focus my mind on something else I can block it.
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... Maybe if I pray.  Our Father, who art in Heav...
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... Okay that isn't working. Maybe if I think of gateways and stepping stones and blogs.
Chirp, chirp, chirp ... Who could think with all this racket?!
Chirp, chirp, chirp ...  You win!  You win!  I am up!  I am up!
Silence, silence, silence ...  I get up and get in the shower.
Silence, silence, silence ...  I turn the water as hot as I can stand and as I relax, my eyes start getting heavy.
Far off chirp, far off chirp, far off chirp ... All I can do is shake my head.  Off to work.

There will be times in life that something will annoy you to no end.  It will distract you from the task at hand and no task will be able to replace this irritating stimulus.  It will be infuriating and it can even threaten your own sanity.  Don't let it.  Remain calm, learn to deal, and appreciate the humor in the situation.  I had to deal by removing myself from the situation this morning, a short term solution at most.  I plan to hunt this cricket down with bug bombs and cleaning, but I won't let it consume me. I have already allowed this insect to alter my day, it won't become my obsession.  But if you find me sleeping in your room tonight...you will know why.  Got to go, my cell phone is ringing...it better not be the cricket!

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo