Dear Amanda,

This entry is a response to Amanda, whose comment today made me ponder.

Amanda,
You sound like a mother who loves her daughter.

I think when I was getting to be the age where I was being more independent and dipping my toe in the waters of adulthood, my mother would hug me longer and tighter, just to remember her little girl with the red curls who said "Hi" to anyone and everyone.

At least, that is what I would like to think.

Damon jokes about reliving his childhood through Fuller or wishing that Fuller would take on certain interests when he is older. I admit that I often think about that too, but not the interests that Damon thinks about.

For instance, Damon would like it if Fuller took an interest in playing football. I would like it if Fuller embraced the arts (but was rich at the same time, of course). I wouldn't mind if Fuller played football and embraced the arts at the same time, but I know that in the end, Fuller will be his own person with his own interests and path in life.

I do marvel that in the future, part of how Fuller lives his life is because of the influence that we have in his life. Miss Zoot is struggling with that realization right now. And I am struggling with it today. BobW mentioned that if Fuller understands "No" he'll put things together. The thing is that Fuller doesn't yet understand "No." We are working on it and today Fuller cried because of it, but he doesn't get it yet. (I think that if our dogs understand "No" then there is hope for Fuller.)

Someday he will understand the word "No" (from what I understand, that is what all two year olds are saying these days). And, in turn, someday he will also understand that I love him and always want the best for him. When that day comes, I will hug him a little tighter and remember my little boy who likes to giggle like a mad man when I put him to bed for the night.