Complicated...and Uncomplicated

Adults are complicated. Kids are not. Adults play brain games, kids play games with their hands. So why is it that so much of what makes an adult complicated always goes back to his/her childhood?

Sofia was outside the other night playing Charlie's Angels Tag. Did you know that such a thing existed? I've heard of TV tag, Diaper Tag and Tag Tag, but never the Charlie's Angels version. To avoid being tagged, Sofia had to whip out a fake gun and say "Pow!" to shoot the tagger. Interesting. I kind of laughed my butt off - watching and the whole episode brought to mind my very first sky-blue Charlie's Angels Huffy Bike. Lived for that bike...my only bike. I feel too tall sitting on top of a bike, so I avoid riding them. Let's not even discuss the fact that when my kids think Charlie's Angels, they mean Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz...that is SO wrong!
Jordan is entering the complicated age of adolescence, not quite a child, not quite an adult. At this age he finds some kids who are more like teens and some who are still hanging on to their innocent youth. Basically, some of his friends are sucking face in the halls, while others are chilling playing Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Jordan, I think, would like to be sucking face in the halls, but settles for playing cards.

Parents have high expectations for their kids and always expect more. Last night we were driving in the car and Jordan said, "Mom, I know what I want to be when I grow up."
I asked, "And what would that be?"
Jordan replied, "A Butler."
*Of all the jobs in the world, a freaking butler, my son who can't even put a toilet seat down after he takes care of business!*
"Um," I said, "Jordan, God gave you brains and a big mouth, I think these qualities might be just a little wasted should you opt for the Butler profession...Why the hell would you want to serve other people when you can't even serve me?" *smile*

Jordan ruminated.
He changed his mind and decided he wanted to own a Newspaper Stand. Unacceptable. Exchanging papers for money all day is a waste of my child's brain. He said, "But they have a break from 1 - 4, so I would have some free time."
*FREAKING ITALIAN MENTALITY IS PERVADING MY SON'S BRAIN*

Please, please don't let me have a lazy son who lacks a will to achieve and reach a little higher. Although, maybe such a lack of drive would render his life much less complicated. I don't know. The only thing I know is that we finished the conversation with him prepared to go to the university to study Engineering ready to contribute to the world.

*Much more the American Way*

I always thought I was such an easy-going, down-to-earth, laidback American Mom in Tuscany. I'm not. I'm one complicated, confused American Mom. Sometimes finding the answers requires studying uncomplicated kids.

Meet Adam Bender (sorry no captions, I have to leave now, by the end of the summer, I will figure this out - also because Rachel's coming to teach me)This is an amazing child who is teaching so many children and parents how truly uncomplicated life can be when viewed through the eyes of a child.
Unbelievable.


Adam Bender, 8, is one of several kids who plays catcher in Southeastern’s rookie league at Veterans Park. What makes Adam stand out is that he plays one of the toughest positions on the field with only one leg. Because of cancer, he had his left leg amputated when he was one. Adam doesn’t use a prosthesis, and only uses crutches when he reaches base for the Astros.