I remember showing up the door of my aunt’s house in Germany for a visit holding my son who was 7 months old at the time. The first thing my aunt said to me was that my son was me (it sounds better in German). That moment happened about 18 years ago and for some reason I have never forgotten it. There have been many times as my son was growing up where I thought that he is so much like me. I guess that is why we get along so well.
There was this time he came into my home office and I just looked at him and said, “The answer is no.” He was taken back at my statement but I just had to look at his face and body language to know what he was going to ask me. One of the funniest things I remember is telling my son I knew things because I had eyes in the back of my head. My son was small at that time and looked under my hair to see if I had eyes underneath there. I think I kind of freaked him out saying that to him. I forgot that little kids take you literally and are not familiar with some sayings.
Last night my son came home about 6:30 p.m. and stopped in the office (I always seem to be in there) to talk to me. I just had to look at him to know he wasn’t feeling well. He then confirmed to me that he didn’t feel well, had a sore throat and was exhausted. He had spent most of the weekend working on a history project with other classmates. I told him that when you push your body past what it can normally handle (be it studying or working), your body fights back and makes you sick. It is your body’s way of telling you to rest. Just as too much physical activity forces you to slow down so does too much mental activity.
Then he tells me that one of his classmates working on the project had strep throat and he is afraid that he is getting it. After hearing all of these, I told him he is staying home from school on Monday. When I saw him tonight, he isn’t doing any better. I think a visit to the doctor is necessary tomorrow.
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