Validation

What a rainy, crappy day it was today.

I got to the polls this morning bright at early at 6:45 AM hoping to breeze in and out like I normally do. Nope - I had to wait over an hour in the rain, which really sucked. Although I have to admit, a huge part of me was thrilled that so many people were voting. Every polling place that I passed in my travels across the city today was packed which has never happened in my memory.

No matter who wins, I can say this much - it will be a vast improvement over what we have now. I'm just sayin' - I'm tired of him phoning it in all the time.

We had dinner with one of Joey's suppliers and his girlfriend tonight and it was sooo good. Like so good that my stomach is absolutely about to burst. I am miserable.

Anyhow, I have to brag on my Monkey Man for a minute. Just bear with me.

Yesterday was parent/teacher conference day. When I got to the classroom, there were four little kids sitting out there - obviously siblings - with the obvious classmate of Monkey Man's sitting there working on homework from last week. And, I noticed, he had a black eye.

His mother literally erupted from the classroom with a look of fury splashed all over her face. "Come on, I've heard enough!" she barked at the kids as she scuttled them out of the hallway.

Great. Just great.

So I poked my head around the doorway and waved at the teacher. "Hi, I know I'm about ten minutes early so if you need time I'll just sit out here until you're ready...."

The look of relief on her face was priceless. "Oh, no - come on in! I've been looking forward to your conference all day because it is going to be the best one that I do."

So for about ten minutes, she regaled me with tales of this marvelous student of hers - how smart he is, what a sweet child, his passion for all different subjects in school. I just could not believe that it was my kid she was talking about.

Sure, I know he's special. He's my kid - don't we all think our kids are special? But somehow, I always feel like maybe I don't do enough with him. We have friends that do flash cards and worksheets and all kinds of stuff at home with their kids every night. My kid plays football and gets to watch Spongebob when he gets home. I just let him be...a kid. He's in school all damn day and then goes to The World's Most Expensive Preschool for before- and after-school care where they make him do homework and then he might get to go outside if the stars are in alignment. Maybe.

"He is one of the best students I've ever had," she said. "And I don't know what you and Mr. Builder are doing to raise him, but keep on doing what you're doing because he is one amazing kid."

I told Cat Door today - I went out in the car and cried. Because sometimes, just sometimes, you have to be reminded just how wonderful your kid is.

It was a great day.