Schmoochie smiles

I'm starting to realise that, with this little buddy of ours, that we've got it pretty good as far as babies go. I mean, he still gets up at an early hour, spits up on us periodically, and frankly the diapers ain't a picnic... but still, he hasn't (touch something wooden) gotten sick, he doesn't wail embarrassingly in a public place, we take him places and he's pretty well behaved. I see other babies that just seem to be absolute hell to deal with or their parents don't seem to get a minute's peace. So, for years from now when he's reading the odd ramblings of his old man, thanks Z.

I'm not particularly church-going but consider myself a spiritual person. However, I'm not opposed to attending church from time-to-time. By and large, the people there are very very nice and kind, and by nice twist of fate, the same minister that married us at a united church in another part of town has taken a position at the united church nearest to where we now live. She (yes, she) is a very sweet person and church very attend-able for me. I find myself listening and understanding her sermons as she makes them very 'real' for me (well, probably not just for me but you know what I mean). It was therefore a big honour, and nice continuance of the life journey, that Elizabeth (the minister) also baptized Zach. Years from now, Zach might ask why he was baptized and at this point, I don't know if I have a really clear answer for him. The formal explanation is that it begins his relationship with God and is welcomed into the community. For me, one's relationship with God or a higher power, is personal and each must discover their own journey and path. If Zach wants to have a relationship with the church or be part of the church community, I'll support him fully. If he chooses to express 'faith' in his own way, I support that too. If he chooses to have no relationship at all, again, I'm with him completely.

At 3.5 months, and a humourously full head of hair, Zach looks older than he is. Of course, the strong possibility that he's a prodigy still remains. He's got funny little grins (funnier still as they're toothless) and he's started making extended sounds (other than from his hind end) which we engage in chat with him. Several days in the past week, he's slept a few more hours and he maintains his busy schedule.

One day though, and it probably won't be long, he'll want to know and will ask "Dad, what's the point of Diet and Caffeine-free cola?? Isn't that just a waste of time?"

He's got a good point.

That's what Friends are For

One cannot get through life without a close friend. The term 'best' friend, to me, is the one that has both been there in longevity and significance. I often wonder what Zachary's friends will be like and if he'll be fortunate to get a friend that will face battles with him, share advice, make sure he has fun but protects him as well. That person, male or female, that he can turn to when he can't (or won't) turn to me.

I've been very lucky in the friends that I have and have had throughout my life. Grey's Anatomy coined a term, your best friend is your 'person'. My person I've known for 21 years now (which hardly seems possible... that would make me old). We got into many adventures in high school and I credit him with bringing me out of my shy shell and confront the adventures of life head-on. We went to the same university together, although this is where we started to define our own lives a bit more separately. It also took some adjusting on my part, not being as outgoing, to try and fit in on my own. Friendships evolve, grow with situations, ebb and flow like the tides... the strong one's endure. I've had friends that, when something traumatic happened or life changing, disapeared. I don't see them anymore. But your person is always there.

Perhaps not on daily basis like you were with friends in high school... but with your person, you know that even if days, weeks, months go by... they're always there. The sign of a solid friendship is that they occupy that part of you that you can access anytime you need to, even if you don't actually talk to them.

My parents never 'screened' my friends nor told me who I should hang out with. How did they embed in me the ability to find good friends? Just lucky I guess.