Easy is 16!

In a past blog I likened rearing children to cooking spaghetti. You can attempt to instill in your children your values and beliefs, but much like cooking spaghetti; you can believe that all the noodles are done, but once you toss them at the wall, you realize only a few stick, if you're lucky.

My son Ian turned 16 yesterday. We went to dinner with the grandparents at our favorite mexican restaurant. They sang to him and made him wear an intricatly sequined sombraro...much to his dismay. We clapped and sang and ate. It was a wonderful time.

Even better is what Ian DID on his 16th birthday. I have taken each boy with me several times to donate blood. Being a blood doner is very important to me. I am also on the bone marrow registery and an organ donor. I am very passionate about it. I can't imagine someone who possibly could help my child if they were sick, not helping out of fear, so I give. I am relatively healthy and have no good reason not to donate. Even though I fear being called to give marrow, I can't imagine not helping.

Anyway, yesterday before I took Ian to spend all his birthday loot, I asked him, "So, you ready to give blood today? You promised you would." Here you are allowed to donate at 16 with a parents consent. "Sure," he said. I was shocked. I was totally prepared for him to wuss out but my barely 16 year old young man stood up and kept his promise.

Being a first time donor, they elevated his feet, packed his neck with ice packs and took all precautions. He went through it like a champ and has great veins. The nurse took her time and did a great job. She only had to stick him once. He was terrified that she wouldn't be able to find his vein and would mutilate him with multiple sticks. He filled his pint in under 5 minutes. That's my boy!

I am so proud of him, not just for keepinmg his promise, but for really understanding what I am trying to teach him. I firmly believe that the cost of a good life is service. Service to your fellow man, your community. Find something you care about and get involved, every day, every way.

You would be surprised how good you feel after picking up some minor trash that others have walked over. How wonderful to help a kid with homework that no one else has time for. Imagine the rush of saving local lives all while relaxing with a tshirt and a snack. Helping others is an aphrodisiac. Feeling good about yourself, having confidence and making a difference is sexy.

Maybe I've been to hard on myself and the kids. Maybe my expectations have been just too high. Maybe when the chips are down and the decisions are really important, they will continue to surprise me. Oh and guess what, I hear lots of people like their spaghetti....al dente!