He was Perfect in His Imperfections

"He was perfect in his imperfections." My favorite quote. I read it in a book a few years back. I have long forgotten what book it comes from. I keep going back to that quote. When I look in my son's eyes, I see this creature that I created with his father. A brown haired, hazel eyed boy of eight. A boy that seems to be at a loss as to who he is. Sweet, loving and funny. He wants to make people laugh. He never wants anyone angry with him. My boy is high energy, impulsive, inattentive, and stays in trouble. He loves babies and animals. As he gets older, I see more of his dad in him. I see how he is so different from his brother Brian but similar in some ways. I don't see a lot of me in him yet. Maybe the tender hearted part. Maybe the wanting to please others. He's my little man.

So many things have happened since he was born. Good and bad. I often wonder what long term effects the last few years are going to have on him. He struggles at school and in his interactions with other children. He's learning about consequences and integrity. He has started to enjoy reading. He loves video games with his step brother. He adores his dad and his new little sister and brother. He misses Brian so much.

This is my son. My beautiful, bright, loving son. To me he is perfect just the way he is. He always will be. That's what makes us parents. That's how love grows out of our womb. We take an imperfect human and see perfection. Every parent does it. It doesn't mean we don't hold our children accountable. It doesn't mean we overlook or ignore bad behavior. It doesn't mean we don't punish or reprimand. All it means is that despite all of this... Despite the trials and tribulations of childhood.... Despite the trials and tribulations of our children in adulthood (my son Brian is almost 23).... Despite it all...."He was perfect in his imperfections."