A Different Shade of Dad

I live in a boy's house. It's great! We can leave the toilet seat up, we can watch movies that are "skop, skiet en verspoeg" we can even leave the house with about 3 seconds warning; to go absolutely anywhere - sometimes to dinner, sometimes to sport, sometimes to nowhere. Of course putting down the Bionicle and focusing on actually getting into the car can take a while for a six year old, sometimes, but the point is we are comfortable going "as we are".

My son has someone to show him the ropes, to kick a ball with, to bowl to him, to wrestle with him, to imitate in clothing style, (is this a good thing?), to shout with the goodies, and yell at the baddies, to join him in eating chips out of the packet and drinking out the can. What more does a boy need?

Who to kiss the scraped knee? Who to go to when the team loses, and he just needs a hug? Who to tell when his best friend has said that they are not friends anymore? Or even when the day has just proved a little long.

I am the first port of call, there is no doubt about that. Even when he was a baby, Dad was the source of the first hug. Even with sympathy and solace, there is no doubt that there is a need for a softer, gentler hug.

I saw it yesterday. He played at a friend's house. When I went to join them for dinner, the mom of the house mentioned that he had curled up next to her on the couch, under the blanket, for about ten minutes late in the afternoon. And then off he went, new worlds to invent, explore and reign over.

I am so fortunate to have women in my life that are able and willing to "adopt" another son for short periods of time. Thank you to all of them, for the gap they fill in his life. And for the opportunity to show him that sometimes there is a different side to life than "skop, skiet and verspoeg".