staying power

Tolliver is going to have an impact on the world. He already has.
I try to tell him that every single day.

Earlier this week, he spent the entire first half of the day watching out the front window. He watered the neighbor's plants for two weeks, and spent the money he earned on Amazon. He tracked the delivery, and although it promised 8pm, he began to watch around 6:45am. He skipped breakfast, and lunch. He literally sat on the ledge until noon. I wish I had a picture of his face when the mail truck arrived.

When he conquers his temper and gains some experience, his strong-will and perseverance will make him an amazingly inspirational leader.

Tonight I erased the smooth skin slate of his back with the pads of my fingers, and reminded him of his influence in the world. Later I will check on him, and I imagine he'll be snoring on a heap of stuffed animals, plus things like sharpies and screws, three kinds of tape, and an ungodly assortment of treasures he’s been sneakily harvesting from the recycling bin with elaborate sketches for his next leprechaun trap or put-put hole.

This little boy is magic, willing to miss a meal in order greet the mailman, sleeping soundest on a pile of trash. I hope he’ll play and scavenge with me forever, and maybe share some of his fortitude along the way.