Yesterday was our beloved guy night.  I didn’t have anything planned other than taking him to TaeKwon Do and then to Borders bookstore afterwards.  Jarrod was his usual easy going self.  He’s busy noticing everything around us on our way  to the dojo.  “Dad why haven’t they built any more on CVS?”  “Daddy why does the ambulance have its siren on?”  Constantly taking in his surroundings and exploring them.    It always so much fun to be a part of that.

As we got closer to the studio, he got quieter and I could see him looking at me in the mirror and thinking.  “What’s up bud?”  “Nothing Daddy.”  We drove a little further and I could see him thinking.  “Do you remember what tonight is Jarrod?”  “TaeKwon Do night.” “and…” “I get my hardcover Jack and Annie tonight!!!”  screams with the excitement that only a 5 yr old can summon.  The look on his face was just absolutely priceless.  The excitement in those eyes coupled with the coyish biting of his lip.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of it.

After class we did go to Borders and get his book.  He took his time choosing it carefully.  Going through each one that he didn’t have, looking at the covers and searching for the desired “Big” 2 page pictures.  Asking about each story line and weighing it against the pictures that he really likes.  There can’t be “too” many pictures though.  Too many, as I found out by offering other book series to him, doesn’t make it a real “Chapter Book” and therefore isn’t a big boy book.

He chose his book and we made our way to the front of the store.  On our way to the register he turns to me and asks, “Daddy can I still get a square tonight?”  Part of our Borders ritual is to stop at the front display and we each get to pick a square of chocolate and exchange a piece with each other.  “Of course Bud.”  We make our purchases and head out to the parking lot.

It is gorgeous outside with sun just starting to set.  He asks if we can go to the end of the parking lot where it overlooks the Rt 9 traffic and down into Worcester.  He offers me a piece of his chocolate and say its ok it yours.  He shakes his head and offers it again.  Looks into my eyes, nods and hands me the chocolate.  I could feel and see that his offering was very important to him and an important part of the ritual.  I gladly took and we walked to the fence and watched the sun, traffic, and life happen around us.

Jarrod, that quiet special bonding we shared last night capped an otherwise good day and made it a great day.  It was very important and special to both of us. 

Thanks bud.