the middle place

He will pretty much carpe the diem at high speed until he collapses on the living room floor, SO bored.
He is wild, willful, and easily disappointed. He is endlessly curious, irresistibly thoughtful, and full of joy.
These qualities alternate in him at approximately five-second intervals.

He's chatty and tight-lipped, energetic and sluggish.
He is a little person, going through things that feel big. Playing freely and adjusting to rules. Tasting permission and feeling consequences. Managing emotions to fit all the situations.
His smile is a powerful force.

He throws football in the kitchen while I cook. I swallow a thousand mini lectures about things like glass globe pendant costs and try to imagine what it's like for him in the moment.
He tells me about the class book the teacher is reading aloud, the one with chapters so long that they miss second recess.
He tells me he does NOT want tomato soup with his grilled cheese.
We find common ground and rest there.

He is a handful. And his heart a national treasure.