Boys

So, I have been sick. I had an infection and then some kind of undying cold bug thing. But, in case you’re wondering, I’m mostly ok now. Thank God.

Several weeks ago, on a Sunday when the wife was out of town, Tim and were home alone. I was in no condition to head for church and I was doing the best that I could to keep Tim happy and myself lying in bed. About 0900, the doorbell rang and it was one of Tim’s friends – Trey. He asked if Tim could come out and play and I graciously said “please!”. With Tim outside for a couple of hours, I was able to cover my head and sleep away my headache.

About 30 minutes into my slumber, I woke up and heard the water running. Then, it stopped. It must have been my imagination; no one was inside and it was 40 outside. No one would be turning on the water. Sometime later, I was able to get up and make myself some soup (make = Campbell’s soup). I sat on the sofa and ate very slowly when a knock came to the door.

I opened only to find that it was Tim – and he looked very, very soggy. I helped him inside and asked ... were you using the water outside? “Yes, daddy.” He said, “I’m very cold and I lost my glove.”

I helped him inside and got him out of his wet clothes and into a warm bath. Learned that he and Trey had “made mud” in the backyard (the evidence of that was now mostly washed away in the bathtub). They had had a great time, throwing mud balls and making mud pies.

I asked, didn’t you know that you were getting cold?

He answered, “We were having fun, we thought we’d be ok.”

I laughed – that’s the most “boy” reply ever. Fun = OK. I remember my brother and I using that logic all the time.

When Lyn called later that day, and I related the story to her – her response that she “hoped that I spanked him”. I told her that I couldn’t; that it was just a boy thing and I told him not to do it again ...

... at least without asking.

Listening to: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On