The "firsts"

As parents, we all remember some of those pivotal "firsts" that brought tears to our eyes. The first time our child called us "Mom" or "Dad" (when our son was almost 3, on a family vacation); first steps, the first time your child hit a home run, participated in a recital, or just came out dressed on their own . . . no matter the stylistic choices!

Our son's thinking is so literal that he has always had a difficult time understanding basic humor and jokes. Nevertheless, he has a strong desire to be funny . . . and he is . . . just not always in the way he intends. We do a lot of explaining around jokes; what they mean, how they are constructed, how to tell them, etc. We try to be funny parents, but he often does not understand (especially the "Dad" jokes), so then there is more explaining.

Recently, returning from a family vacation, we were filling the long drive with an audio book (something from the Max Einstein series, which is really good if you are ever looking for a smart read for your "sciencey" kid!). I'll never remember the joke, but I will always remember my 10-year-old son's voice from the back seat laughing and saying excitedly "I GOT THAT!"

And in the front, behind my sunglasses, I quietly cried.

Our "firsts" may look different, may seem long in coming, and may come at the most unexpected times, but they are coming. There is no shame in some tears of joy when they get here.