Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The great persuader

One of our grandsons is twelve, a young twelve, a VERY intelligent twelve. He is a loving, amazing boy diagnosed with ADHD. He has original out-of-the-box ideas.
He gives bear hugs that feel like a boa contrictor squeezing the life out of you.
He is kindhearted and thoughtful, and science is his bag. He is like an encyclopedia.

When he was two years old the family was at a pizza place which had a very small arcade. He ran off to follow his older sister and cousins. They were all within view, almost within reach.

I like playing Skee Ball, a game similar to bowling (uphill) with hard wooden balls. The goal is to get the ball into round pockets. I dropped my quarter into the coin slot; the wooden balls click-clacked out of the holding chute and into position. I picked one up and drew my arm back.

"Hey, kids, watch what Nana can do. I am a Skee Ball pro...ohhhHHHHH my gosh, HELP!!!!!"

I couldn't believe my eyes. BEHIND the plate glass of the machine I was playing, in the top ball pocket, sat Sean like a mannequin in a store display window. Smiling.

I was out of control as the crowd gathered. "He's going to get electrocuted! You climb out of there right now! Someone unplug the machine!"

Still smiling, he slithered out from under the gap and scooted down the ten foot wooden alley.

That is one of many such incidences reported in the persoanl journal I keep for him.

The most recent: I aksed him how school was. He said he had a teacher who finally understands him, and he is so thrilled he is going to have a really good year. I asked his favorite subject.

"Science, but I also am very good at public speaking."

"What do you want to be when you grow up? A scientist?"

"Maybe. Or since I am so good at convincing people, maybe I could be lawyer or a judge, but that requires too much schooling."

"So, tell me about your public speaking class. Do you give oral reports?"

"It's not a class."

"Well what do you mean by public speaking?"

"See, Nana, I'm really good at starting riots. For instance, if the cafeteria food is bad, I am able to persuade others to rise up and follow me and we can protest and make changes."

I think he must be studying politics in history or social studies.
I think he is going to be a world leader.
I think he is awesome, if a bit misled on what public speaking is.

On second thought ...

14 comments:

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Persuasion? Good.
Convincing? Commendable.
An agent for change? Great.
Fomenting unrest via a lunchroom riot? Don't let him talk to The Boy...the two of them could be dangerous together.

Here's to hoping that his political aspirations are for positive change and much needed reforms!

Pam said...

I've often wondered about kids diagnosed with ADHD. I simply see them as the children with more mental and physical energy than most. Since there isn't any recess anymore and less time outdoors in general; that change in society could be the reason for the so called lac of focus they are diagnosed to possess. What a lucky grandma you are to have your grandchildren, especially this one, close by.He sounds like a boy with leadership skills, although they need direction (away from cafeteria uprisings, LOL).

Bookie said...

These kinds of kids are challenging but interesting to rear. Your grandson sounds like he's cut out of the same fabric as my own son. Never a dull moment! The distance of being a grandmother probably makes him even more interesting to watch grow and develop.

Patti said...

Well, just as long as he doesn't persuade the other kids to throw their food all around the cafeteria!! NO food fights, thank you very much.

How wonderful that he lives nearby and you are able to see him often. Having grown up within walking distance of both sets of grandparents, I know what a blessing it is for him to have you nearby and to be able to build strong relationships with you.

Have a great day,
Patti

Lyndylou said...

Hilarious, I like his way of thinking! :)

Unknown said...

Like Lyndy said I like his way of thinking and would love to be around him to see what he actually accomplishes. Have a great week.
Odie

Purplesong said...

They say well behaved women rarely make history, so maybe this goes for 12 year old boys too, bummer though that he causes his grandmother and teachers anxiety! Very funny story, thanks for sharing! Curious to see what he does grow up to become!

Claudia Moser said...

Indeed a bright boy, you must be very happy to have him!

Beth M. Wood said...

Linda, I just love this post. So reminds me of my Jack. I had a lightbulb moment with him last night. Maybe I will share soon in a blog near you...

p.s. what a lucky boy to have your heart and spirit in his life ; )

Tammy said...

Well that slithering out of tight places will definitely help him in his political career...!! I laughed SO hard at your Skee Ball demonstration. Hooray for people who think outside the box. Or from inside the Skee Ball one.

Sioux Roslawski said...

He sounds like my son, Ian. Ian was so excited on the second-to-last day of school about the summer vacation (I think it was his sophomore year of high school) he turned himself into a human bowling ball and slid across the cafeteria floor and knocked over a garbage can.

How lucky he was, because that ended up being his LAST day of school for the year.

Ian has dealt with ADD since he was in first grade. Now he is all grown up, but still quite quirky.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Never a dull moment I bet! LOL How fortunate that he has a teacher with whom he has connected. That doesn't happen as often as it should, but when it does it is pure magic. He sounds like a normal, happy, creative, intelligent boy who is learning he has, among other things, the gift of leadership and the desire to use it for positive social change. (Er, riots notwithstanding.) And you, Nana, have a front row seat. :)

Cathy C. Hall said...

When I saw public speaking, I had to smile. I mean, how do kids come up with stuff like that? (And how do you keep all these journals? You're like a journaling super hero!)

BECKY said...

Funny! That boy will probably own a company, like Bill Gates did at a very young age! :)