It's Blake's Birthday

Today is Blake’s birthday. His true name is William Blake Wxxxxxxx. I think there was a poet named William Blake. However, he hates being called anything remotely connected to William, like Will, Bill, Willy, Billy, and so his name is just Blake. He has been known to answer to Blakey… but not often. He says his teacher tries to call him the other names when she gets annoyed at him.. BUT he does not answer because even his mother does not call those other names (although I do think his father tries to call him by those names). But Blake is a name that many syllables can be added to. It is a great name. BLAAAAAAAEKE!

Blake is a decade old today. Since he is the youngest it seems like 10 is way too old. We want him to be our little toddler but he is not a toddler in any sense of the word. He has clearly grown into a young man who has his own interests and gifts. He is very intelligent and has a passion for video games, although that passion crosses over into addiction, even by his own words. Limits are good for him and I am pretty sure he would rather play with a good friend than the video games. But good friends are hard to find and often move away.

Blake has a unique position in the family. He is the youngest. He is the “man” of the house at the moment, a position that he takes seriously. He is the younger brother, soon to be big brother of his sister Axxxx. Axxxx does not much care for the fact that her brother has grown so tall so fast but it is true. But Blake knows that growth and strength are the keys for him to play sports.

Blake is such a blessing to us because he is just almost the total opposite of his sister. He is fairly easy going and she is often not. He has patience when working thru problems that Axxxx has never had. The best thing I like about him is that he wakes up with sunshine in his heart and his face is almost glowing. If he won’t speak to you or find any kindness in him at night.. just wait till morning and he is the nicest kid. He is quiet and sweet and the change between nighttime and morning is sometimes like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!

One of the best things about Blake is that he has learned that the world does not always center on him. He frequently must take a back seat to Axxxx and her never ending string of doctors and hospitals. He loves his sister and truly wishes more than anything that she were healthy. He has never vocalized a desire to be an only child… only to have a sibling that doesn’t have to go to the doctor so much. Blake is patient and loving with Axxxx and hurts when she hurts. He will grow up to be a wonderful loving Father and husband because of his practice at being a big little brother.

This fall Blake played football for the second year in a row. My running joke with him is always that if the boys all pile up in their plays and everyone gets up but him, I am out there. He keeps saying that I cannot do that without getting him thrown out of the game and my response is always “then make sure you get up”. He puts on all his equipment and turns into this little mighty-man. However, I watch him as they set up for each play and he clearly judges his chances of being hurt at each time and often chooses to be in a different spot from where the action is happening. We will see if football continues to be a sport he pursues. One of the things he truly likes about it is that they have practice like 5 nights a week. One of the things that his mom truly hates about it is that they have practice like 5 nights a week. It is a huge time commitment for the entire family.

Long ago it seemed like grandchildren were something that I could have lived without. My own children were rather hard on me during their teenage years and there should have been a little time to recover. But my two grandchildren have blessed my life beyond anything I could have wished for. They are intelligent and interesting. They read, do crafts, work together to solve problems. The kids are both very opinionated about things.

Blake and I have had very interesting conversations about ballot measures and about presidential candidates…. even when he was 6. He does not always agree with my assessment of the ballot measures, by the way.

When he moved from private school to public school he became instantly aware of the costs and the fact that the gym and the music and the science programs that he took for granted were not going to be part of his public school education. He was 8 years old and it is amazing that he would be so observant.

One of the ways Blake has been completely blessed in this life is with a mother who loves him and is going to make sure he has all that he needs no matter what the cost. She will fight for him and love on him and always be there for him. He knows he is loved. His Dad is part of his life in a real and tangible way … a lot because his Mom makes sure that his Dad is welcome and comfortable and will always be part of his upbringing. Blake’s Mom has sacrificed much to take care of her kids. But her children will comfort her and hold her in her old age.

I predict that Blake will work hard and be a good kid. He is going to grow up and be a sports doctor (he says not). He will go to college at Oregon State or the other one. He will try out for the football team but recognize how much it interferes with his studies and give it up. He will date a few girls and settle down after he graduates from college. He and his wife Julie will have 3 kids, two boys and a girl and he will be an excellent father and husband. DKU