This Little Light of Mine

Remember that song?

This will kill you, it's that bad and lovely. Check out the little guy in the striped shirt, front row. The one who doesn't follow any instruction? Who rubs his nose or eyes every ten seconds?

Let's just admit that this group is better.

The Matron was thinking about this song over the weekend, as her domicile fairly radiated lights and love and all organic, authentic, human goodness.

He Who Cannot be Named Turned 14. Look how adorable yet introspective and intelligent he is at six, above. His birthday, Saturday, otherwise known as the ONE PERFECT DAY SHE RECEIVED AS A PARENT THUS FAR was a superior astrological event.

Why?

The day had as much to do with Merrick as HWCBN. Merrick participated in a city-wide tennis tournament and guess what? He won!! That child lobbed balls and served for four hours to emerge the victor --and a young one, at that.

He goes onto some other tournament this Friday.

The Matron's two favorite parts?

First, HWCBN spent the bulk of his birthday watching his brother play tennis. Here's the report.

HWCBN: "This is the best day ever. I was SO nervous for Merrick and I'm SO proud of him!" The Matron thinks perhaps HWCBN is confusing himself as a parent; he was that invested.

Best part number two? After every match, this is what Merrick said:

"Is the game ovew? Who won?"

John: "Merrick, you won."

Merrick: "Oh no! Who's talking to the othew guy? Is he okay? I can do wowse."

Could it get better? Earlier, Scarlett sang a haunting duet in rehearsal for her upcoming show (proud mom got to watch) and was hailed by all. Merrick nailed the tournament at seven. Stryker was more excited about his brother's success than about Windows 7 or his own birthday.

Those little lights that she helped create? Shining.

But the, just to make sure she cried a little, Merrick won the award for 'best sportsmanship' of the tournament, for making honest calls and for a generous spirit -- out of 300 players.

Everything quickly turned ugly later (insomniac 11 year old, computer game battles, fight over who looks in what direction while in the car or otherwise pokes someone, distrust of authority, etc), but for a few hours?

Perfect.

Knowing that's a fleeting, arbitrary state makes it sweeter.