Skye came running to Mimi, crying. Crying? The big boy? The oldest? He never cried unless his feelings were hurt or Isaac had done a dastardly deed. But crying on his own, with Isaac far from him, alone playing in the yard? Never!
Mimi held him tightly in her arms while he sobbed and caught his breath, so he could explain. “The scooter,” he sobbed. The scooter, it seems, always spins around whenever he carries it and slams into the back of his foot. The tears were more for anger than for pain. So, the scooter got hung in the garage. Then, they went walking around to the front where the whole thing had taken place. Skye explained as they walked along.
The good knights were getting attacked by the bad guys. All the fruit was poison. Whenever a knight ate some fruit, he would die. The memory of the anger and pain faded as the tale progressed—a tale of dragons, swords, and bad guys. They found the abandoned sword on the sidewalk. Isaac would not play: he was too busy playing ball with Poppy. So, Mimi sat in the chair on the porch while he wound through the bushes explaining all the creative developments of the plot.
Skye doesn’t need anyone to play with him. The richness of his imagination is enough for him, filling him with worlds of wonder and adventure. Poppy tells him to attack the tennis ball with the same enthusiasm that he attacks the dragons (or the shrubbery) out front. After two mighty slashes at the attacking monster, he retreats to describe all the details of his dangerous encounter to his teammates, who think they were just practicing tennis.
Tennis lessons at the high school keep him busy and active. He marches off every day with his water bottle, tennis racket, and special tennis-class t-shirt. He double checks for socks and shoes and, then, badgers Poppy about whether they will go to MacDonald’s or Burger King for lunch first—his mind no longer onNicole or Mimi, who are waving from the garage door.
What a gift and blessing he is to the entire family. He is their relief, their praise, their miracle baby. His beginning was a wave of terror and a wash of despair. The anguish for his parents and grandparents was almost unbearable. The prayers went to the Lord every second and, eventually, circled the world through prayer chains everywhere. The Lord heard and answered. The beautiful and healthy baby boy finally came home from Riley Children’s Hospital; everyone rejoiced and praised God.
What a boy he is! He graduated from first grade reading and studying math. Sudoku puzzles please him so much. He loves the mystery and logic of them. They make him smile. Poppy and Skye sit with their heads together after the other children have gone to bed and talk logic and strategy for their latest puzzle.
Blocks don’t just become architecture and buildings, they become puzzles. Not just a beautiful structure, but if this block is pushed, it will knock the other one, which will hit the next, and cause the blue one to land on the yellow one. Each aspect aligned and perfected until it is just right.
His is more that just head work and imagination, however. He sails down the cul-de-sac on the scooter, passing the other children on their bikes. He rides circles around them and returns to the garage before they even head home, his natural balance and grace taking him smoothly along the road.
Swimming provides an outlet for him that he loves very much. He jumps and dives and drives everyone crazy by splashing water in their faces. Mimi and Poppy got after him several times when the other children yelled in frustration. He became better, but the temptation was always there just gleaming behind his laughing eyes.
Swimming lessons at the high school show him kicking strongly for the teacher. He uses the foam dumbbells across his chest when he swims backward. He loves visiting with the other children who are sitting on the side with him, waiting for their turn and splashing them as they splashed him. The cheerful waves to his brother, Isaac, across the pool show that they love being in the same level. It is reassuring to Skye seeing him over there. Occasionally, a “Isaac, Isaac!” will ring through the air when they are both sitting on the side.
Video games are one of his favorite things. His imaginary world comes alive with knights and dragons to slay. He would much rather battle the next bad guy than hunt through the hallways and levels following Isaac. Therefore, he always amasses huge points. Isaac yells for him to follow, but he will not budge until every last creature is destroyed and every point grabbed.
He loves books. Mimi read several chapters about Little Christiana and her travels toward the
Staying up later than his little brother is surprising for him. Although Isaac reminds Mimi that Mommy puts them to bed at the same time. Skye loves explaining that he can stay up a little later because he is older. Someday, Isaac will be old enough to stay up a little later too. What a difference twenty minutes can make in his self-confidence and self-importance.
Wonder and amazement are his favorite facial expressions. His smile literally lights up the room. When he smiles, everyone cannot help but smile with him. Such depth of emotion reveals his caring, sensitive nature. He thinks deeply, feels deeply, and investigates deeply. Very little gets by him when he sets his mind to figuring something out.
The struggle at the beginning of his life has blossomed into a full, exciting adventure now—a life that impacts everyone in the family. His parents and grandparents will forever give thanks and praise the Lord for this gift, this miracle, this Skye.
1 comment:
Okay, these posts are just too sweet. I'm glad you put them on there. Your kids will treasure these one day! And I feel like I know your kids better by reading them. :) They are lucky to have grandparents who obviously get so much enjoyment out of them.
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