Friday, April 02, 2010

A Taste for the Spotlight


My son is not shy.

I've always known he wasn't shy, but I had further proof today.

We went to the nursing home this morning for the "Easter Parade". The Kindergarten and Pre-K from the local school sang two cute little songs about bunnies, and then they all listened to the Easter Story. Since my kids go to a different school, I wasn't going to take them this year, but my dear friend talked me into it, so we slapped on some dress clothes and ran up there.

They didn't really seem to mind that they weren't singing with the others, and they walked around saying "hi" to everyone afterwards. Granted, Zaya was saying it so quickly that the people didn't even have a chance to respond, and Mim was so quiet and shy that they probably didn't even hear her...but they did say "hi".

When Zaya came over to me and Granny (his great-grandma) he was singing something. The activities director heard him and said those fateful words, "You should go sing something for the other people." Well, that's all it took. I only had time to say "Sing Joyful, Joyful!" before he was gone, reaching for the microphone. (Because who knows what he would have chosen to sing if I hadn't specified. I can just see it, 'We all live in a yellow submarine...' at the top of his lungs.)

He belted out the Ode to Joy, and I'll admit that I loved hearing him sing it. OK, so pitch isn't exactly one of his strengths yet, but he put a lot of heart in it.

As I was talking to my friend afterward, I realized something. He probably would have done the exact same thing if he had no clothes on. He is not shy. At all.

And no, that's not all for the good. I never know what he's going to say to someone that he walks up to. He might tell them anything. Anything.

All that to say, "Mom, Dad. I'm sorry for my childhood."

6 comments:

Lisa said...

"I never know what he's going to say to someone that he walks up to. He might tell them anything. Anything."

...and he will probably hug and kiss them too! Don't worry. People think it's cute. For now ;)

Carina said...

Oh, you are so right. I completely forgot to mention the excessive displays of affection. He hugs cashiers, beauticians, nursing home aids, random strangers at stores, the moms of other kids at the part that we've never even met....

Chandelle said...

I loved it! I know there is a reality to both outgoing and shy children sharing the "honesties" of their households,etc. That is enough to instill fear into any parent. At least you precious little man doesn't come off rude.

Julie K. said...

I have been the shy kid, it's not all that great. You should be proud you raised a son who can comfortably be himself in any environment!

And don't worry, when he is 17 you can repay him for your public embarrassment by showing his girlfriend photos of him naked, singing about yellow sumbarines in front of a mortified crowd of nuring home resides.

aftergrace said...

He's very sweet. I'd love to hear him sing someday!

Lilibeth said...

I made him sing it for me. He did a fine job, remembering all the words too.