Over the past couple of weeks I've learned to enjoy adult conversation once again. Now adult conversation is not what you non-parents might think it is. It's not overtly sexual or pornographic in nature. It's not using the F-bomb every two seconds. What adult conversation is to a parent is simply this: Conversing with another adult.
I've got a wonderful Nine year old son who is wise beyond his years, but one fact remains, he is not an adult. I so often find myself listening to him talk to his video games, or else find myself conversing about whether or not our dog is truly a dog in the full sense of the word. Or whether a panda bear is cuter than a koala. Or whether or not I'm going to take a nap on a particular day so that he can glom onto my computer and play some of the online flash games that he seems drawn to. (And their sometimes virus laden content, which takes up about 12 hours of the day after trying to remove the virus, the rootkit, it's cousins, uncles, and aunts.)
Now I'm not complaining about being a father that stays at home most of the time. Never think that. Okay, maybe I am, but good naturedly. I love my son, and I think that the time we spend together is very special. I love the fact that he likes to talk to me about Legend of Zelda Windwaker ad naseum and that he really digs Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask and that he thinks that Adolfa is the coolest villain in any Legend of Zelda video game. (Do you get the feeling he likes Legend of Zelda? I do.) Then there are the times that we talk about other things. For about five minutes.
But oh, adult conversation I miss thee. I find myself in conversation with a friend of mine talking like a nine year old. If the friend isn't a parent, they generally think that I've flipped my lid until I explain the fact that probably 99% of my conversation is with or about children.
During this month of December it's awesome. My wife is home more as the restaurant where she lives....I mean works....is reducing the hours. While money might be a bit tighter, I can once again converse with another adult........except when she's over at our friends Mom's house helping to haul firewood and helping to take care of three horses. Like today, when I'm writing this. I woke up just as she was leaving and with a hearty wave and a wink (and perhaps a snicker) she was off to hang out with adults and play with horses. I looked and saw my son on the Nintendo Wii playing what? Legend of Zelda. I then understood the wave, wink, and snicker. Another day of hearing the tunes of command in the game and my son talking to the video screen like he was a Lion's fan and upset with the interception that good ole whatsisname just threw.
And most days I can't escape. I go to bed late at night so I have a few hours of peace and quiet to myself. I enjoy this time, I covet this time, and I guard this time......Except when I don't. Some nights I go to bed around the same time as my son (9pm for those of you keeping track of me. Darn spies) and have a "nightly talk" in which we discuss random events in life and the animal kingdom for roughly a half an hour until my medications kick in. Depending on the night I have my "meds kick in" faster than usual because of the tone of the conversation.
A couple of nights ago was wonderful. I went to bed with my wife, talked with her, enjoyed her company. Our son had already passed out---in his nest on my side of the bed. But that's a whole different story for another time.
I thank God my for my son each and every night. I thank God that's he's healthy, intelligent, good natured, not shy, and a boon to my life.
But I also thank God for the days I can converse with another adult......and sound like a nine year old.
0 comments:
Post a Comment