But Why - part one

I was straightening up in Jackson's room the other day. I do this periodically to make the house to look neat, to make sure his room is presentable since it's on the first floor and easily seen by guests, and of course, to chase out any wild animals inhabiting the dark recesses of his abode before they start breeding. While I was filling garbage bags with assorted filth and questionable substances, I came across a yellow notebook. Knowing how important it is to respect a teen's privacy, I immediately opened the book and began flipping through pages, searching for any evidence that my son may have unfinished homework. Or perhaps he'd written about a romantic interest or details of gang activity, drugs, or robbery. You never know and I've found it's best to be totally nosy about these things.

As I thumbed through the pages, I noted that every square inch was filled with writing. Curious, I turned to the front and began to read. His manuscript appeared to have been originally titled But Why. That was crossed out and below it was written Our Side. As I read, I realized the story seemed to be written in response to my book Because I Said So which made his original title of But Why most apropos.

I read the entire story at once. It was witty (he's obviously my son) although fraught with spelling errors (maybe he's his dad's son) and I actually enjoyed reading it. When Jackson confronted me about the lack of food wrappers, dirty socks, and 'eau de zoo' smell in his room, I admitted to cleaning things up a bit. Then I told him of how his notebook just fell out of his closet and opened up to the first page and I couldn't help but see his story so I read a little bit completely by accident.

He was embarrassed at first, explaining how he'd written this a couple years ago until I told him that I really liked it. I asked him if I could share it on my blog and he agreed. I hope he doesn't think he's going to get any royalties for this. Eh, I'll just subtract his payment from what he owes me for shoveling a path to his bed. So here's a little part of Our Side.

     Adults are a lot of times scared about having a child. They may feel stressed and unprepared for what might happen. Well, it's hard on kids too, coming into a new world without warning. Having to face challenges unbelievably beyond comprehension. Also having to deal with weird smells from homeless people and being scared for life from vacuum cleaners. Let me tell ya, it's not easy. Sure parenting may be hard, but isn't it worth it seeing your child grow up to be great?

A baby may not look like much especially if he/she is shoving corn up his/her nose, but they may be the next Albert Einstein. If you don't raise them right though, they could become a homeless person shoving corn up his/her nose.

To be continued . . .