Just Average

Zeke is five now.  Not just in years, but word and deed.  He is asking about reproduction and the legitimacy of Santa Claus.  He has a “best friend” every where we go. He is interested in everyone he meets and a strong sense of fairness. He is typical in so many ways. I find myself celebrating his averageness. 

I freely admit, there was a time in my early motherhood adventure where I was not satisfied with “average”.  I wanted Zane, my first born, to be above average.  And he was…until he wasn’t. Until Autism changed everything. The incredible vocabulary that marked his one year birthday was non existent at two.  Three years was no different.  Birthday celebrations became so painful.  Simply because, as he aged, he was left further and further behind. Every year meant a wider gap between what could have been and what was.  It still does.  So, to find myself with an absolutely average kid is the best thing I could ask for.  More of a blessing than I am worthy of receiving.

So this is where I am coming from when I blog about Zeke and Zack. I am amazed.  Humbled by how fascinating a ”typical” child truly is.  Like today.  We were walking out of the doctor’s office.  A kind man held the door open as we managed to exit.  (I say managed, because Zack’s internal compass compels him to walk the opposite direction that we all need to go.  Our family walks north, Zack head South East for a half a mile before noticing he is going the wrong way.  If he over rides his compass and walks in our general direction, he ends up walking twenty feet behind us.  Yes, I stick by ”managed”.) 

When we were almost to the car Zeke said excitedly, “MOM!! Did you see that guy?  He had TWO GOLDEN TEETH!  Man, how did he get golden teeth?”  I nearly got whiplash from turning around to see if the man overheard Zeke.  Luckily, he had already disappeared.  “When I get older, I’m gonna get me some golden teeth, Mom.” 

I found myself giggling over his excitement.  GOLDEN TEETH!  It makes me laugh just sitting her typing about it.  He is full of starry eyed wonder.  And unintentional humor.  Like yesterday, after a particularly rough morning with Zack, I was nearing a meltdown. Zeke came over to me, shaking his head wistfully.  “Well, Mom, I think you’re going to have to let Zack go.” he said grimly.  “Let him go?  What do you mean, let him go?” I asked.  “You know…fire him!” 

Just another average day in an average life of an average kid.  Thank you GOD!