Saturday, February 4, 2012

A celebration of a great one, and the loss of a great one

I remember my first milestone birthday. I don't remember a party or my gift, but I remember having a profound thought. I vividly recall waking up on my tenth birthday and saying, "Wow, I have lived ten whole years on this earth. My age is now double digits."

Today, my grandson, Nicholas, is ten years old. I am thrilled with this wonderful little boy who asked me to help him get his "book" published. He had hand written an entire episode of Finding Big Foot, which he had seen the night before on TV. When I explained the word, plagiarism, he cried. When I showed him how to write his own version and fictionalize the stories, he beamed when I praised his word choices and ideas.

I want to keep him this age forever. He has grandiose dreams.

"Nana, I want to be a professional hockey player, but if that doesn't work, I want to be a writer. I know I can't do both, because I wouldn't have enough time."

I told him, "You'll find time to do all the things you love."

"Then I will be a hockey player AND a writer!"

His comment inspired me to sit down and write an article about making time to write. I had planned on querying Writers' Journal. Sadly, I learned the magazine folded this week.

Nicholas was thrilled with the birthday cake that his mom decorated with our home team hockey logo, a blue note.


He received a Wayne Gretzky Blue's jersey and an autographed hockey stick, plus tickets for tonight's Monster Truck Jam, and more money than I ever received for my birthdays.


The rain did not keep him and his buddies indoors. They laced their skates and took to the cul de sac. They played until they were breathless and red in the face.

Physical exercise is to the body, what writing is to the mind.

15 comments:

BECKY said...

Ahhhh, what a cutie, and yes to be able to keep him at 10 years old!

Bookie said...

This looks like one happy boy! Nice you could share in his day.

Karen Lange said...

Happy Birthday Nicholas! He's a hockey fan; I like him already! :)

Lynn said...

Look at the surprised look on Nicholas' face! Sorry to hear about Writers' Journal... wah.

Val said...

Sounds like a fantastic birthday! Rock on, Nicholas! My oldest boy had Blues tickets for his birthday, and a jersey for Christmas. He's quite a fan as well, but a photographer, not a writer.

Claudia Moser said...

His face speaks thousand words!

Pat Wahler said...

What a handsome young man. Happy birthday to him, and may all his dreams come true!

Pat
Critter Alley

Chatty Crone said...

Happy Birthday Nicholas. sandie

BB said...

Oh Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy! 10 is such a great age I agree. The future is his. Hope he gets to achieve all his dreams.

Tammy said...

Guess it's those double digits you mentioned, but I remember the world opening up at 10! Happy birthday to a great-sounding kid and hockey player and writer-to-be. Love that last line. How true.

Sioux Roslawski said...

What a lovely lesson you taught him: he has time to do all the things he loves.

Too bad all of us adults don't realize that...

Debora said...

Love that youthful enthusiasm! I'm sure you are a great inspiration to him. I was just wondering today what our life would be like if we kept dreaming and expecting as we did when we were children.

Susan said...

Oh my, Linda----to be 10 years old again. Wow wow wow. I hope your precious grandson WILL be a writer and a hockey player.

Take care. Susan

Julia Gordon-Bramer said...

He's seriously adorable!

Donna Volkenannt said...

The look on his face is priceless!
Donna