Where Jonah is concerned, the best place to be — the most dreamed of, sought-after, wondrous, asked-for place — is Grandma’s House.
For a variety of reasons, it has remained thus since he was a baby. (Of course the best part of Grandma’s House is grandma herself).
Jonah’s sitting on grandma’s counter in this picture, taken Christmas Day. I was sick and kind of weak; I tried to get a good picture of them standing side by side, but to no avail. I wanted to show how Boo’s only a few inches shorter than my mom now, which would make him about 5′ or 5’1″ at not-yet-thirteen. His growth seems to be happening, somehow, more quickly than before, as if I’d looked away for months and finally turned around to see him.
I’m kind of wan in this pic, but Jonah’s all smiles.
Here are a few great pics we took in December:
I love the way that last one came out, with all things notJonah softened. It’s almost as if I knew what I were doing when I took the picture; ’twas luck, alas, and nothing more. (For kickass-quality photography you can visit my sistercousin DiAnna’s website).
Then a few weeks ago Jonah started in a new classroom. He was aggressing regularly in the other one, even on days when all seemed fine at his house. His teachers and therapists thought maybe he was bored or unchallenged. So far he hasn’t had a major aggression in the new room, so they were probably right. I know Jonah’s bright, but it’s hard to know how much of that light we’re going to be able to coax from behind the clouds. So far so good.
He’s been a happy kid, mostly, at any rate. He adores his daddy and got to spend two overnights in a row at his apartment recently, which is right up there with Grandma’s House on Jonah’s list of preferred places to visit.
Lately Jonah’s developed a keen interest in his wardrobe and, more recently, in others’ as well. He’s got two pair of sneakers at daddy’s place – one blue, one green – and he’ll tell you in no uncertain terms which he wants.
The other night Andy put him on the phone with me. Jonah’s definitely not one to dominate a conversation, so I asked him a lot of questions he could answer with “yes” or “no.”
Eventually I said bye bye, Boo; mama loves you. Jonah answered byebyemama and handed the phone back to Andy. I heard Jonah ask twice: mama comin’ in? to which Andy automatically replied: 13 hours.
It seems to satisfy Jonah to have a number – any number – I think so he feels like what he wants is comin’…and when.
Then, in the background, I heard Jonah say: Light green shirt? Andy answered no, buddy, This shirt is good. I guess Boo’s new thing is to decide upon not only his own clothes but his father’s as well. Sometimes Andy capitulates, allowing Jonah a glimpse into one possible career path toward fashion or wardrobe design.
I can just see him in Hollywood, pulling at a “wrong-colored” costume donned by Jennifer Lawrence, insisting no! no!
A few weeks ago I traveled to Bloomington to see Tim perform in a holiday concert with the Quarryland Men’s Chorus, which was as awesome as it could be. Tim had a short solo in one song, and after both performances, audience members sought him out to compliment him. I stood at his side, grinning proudly as if I were the one responsible for Tim’s mellifluous bass.
Tim’s in the middle of the back row, with the long blonde hair & awesomely full beard
Tim also gifted me with the best Christmas present I’ve likely ever received – but for now it’s just between us (and, due to my uncontainable excitement, two friends whom I swore to secrecy).
* 12-29-14 * NOTE: Now lots of folk are guessing Tim gave me an engagement ring, and I’ll put that rumor to rest. We’ve been in a long distance relationship for just 5 months. And this gift is better, presently, than the prospect of marriage — to anyone!
We are happy.
And so life is good.
I am getting used to being cold, bundling up with resignation and maybe even complacency against my chosen 55 degree home temperature. The no lights thing is actually more difficult – I go through candles like boxes of Tagalongs at Girl Scout cookie time, and I now have an oil lamp. Since the days are so short, I want to go to bed at around 6 or 7, like an old lady.
I get out every day, when I can motivate, and I fight winter blues/being alone/stagnation, reminding myself that every day now, the days are lengthening. There is much to do and plenty to look forward to with the excitement of this new year coming – 2015 rising like a glorious dawn.
I know the journey truly is the destination, and this one feels really right.
The Never Normal 