Superman

He wore Superman pajamas and waited up for me to get home nearly every night. He was two years old and loved to watch the “Super Friends” cartoon with me. I worked the second shift at a box factory in Memphis and wouldn’t get home until around 11:30 pm, but his Mom would make sure he took a nap during the day so I could play with him for a bit when I got home. Little Pooh Bear made me want to come straight home every night just to see his beautiful smile and listen to him tell me about his day. My son Chris made fatherhood easy.  

   Being friends with a two-year-old is one of the most honest relationships you’ll ever have. You know what they’re thinking, because they tell you. If they’re sad, they cry. If they’re happy, they smile or laugh. If they don’t understand, they ask questions. Chris was like that. He would tell me about his toys and who he saw that day. He’d tell me about the cartoons he was watching and how “Superman says ‘don’t smoke’” like it was the inside scoop on the subject. He was smart, but he didn’t flaunt it. He didn’t look down on me just because I was an adult. He’s never given me bad advice. 

   Christopher Taylor Stone turns forty-two on August 2nd. I don’t get to come home to him every day, but I still miss doing that. I do it with my grandkids, now. I see now why being a grandparent “hits” differently. You have the experience, the patience to just watch and listen (and maybe provoke a little rebellion now and then) to them. You take the time to pay attention to them because you know how fast they will grow and change. Chris did that. His life got full so very fast. He grew to be a fantastic man. He’s educated, sophisticated, strong, intelligent, smart (yeah-that’s different from just intelligent), sensitive, and kind. He’s the kind of friend a person wants to have, and the kind of man people aspire to be. He’s honest and trustworthy. No matter what life throws at him, he consistently keeps being himself. Even when he’s unsure of himself, he stretches his mind and emotions to find out the answers. Plus, he’s a good-looking guy. Not to brag, but truth is truth.  

   I wouldn’t trade anything for the man who Chris has become. I hope his life is all he ever wanted and then some. He works hard and is dedicated to his vocation. He loves a wonderful woman, Anna, who shares his taste in music, and they travel all over attending concerts. No life is without troubles or pain, but I see my son living his life on his own terms and can honestly say that I’m proud of the man he has chosen to be. I would give anything, however, to just come home to him (just one more time) and see that joyous smile, sit him in my lap, and listen to his musical voice full of wonder.  

   Chris called me last week to tell me about seeing the new Superman movie. I listened with a smile and thought of those nights, so many years ago. The new Superman portrays Clark Kent as a punk/goth enthusiast as a teen and Chris connected with that. I loved hearing him talk about Superman. Just like when he was two. Some things never change. I’m glad of that. 

Happy Birthday, Christopher! I love you, Son.  

God Bless Y’all.