A Little Time with Tyler

My younger brother, Steve, and his soon to be 6-year-old, Tyler, were recently in town for my cousin’s wedding. As always, Steve and I had an incredible time catching up and having a late night brainstorming session. We talked about all he has going on and what he’s doing to spread the word on what chiropractic really is.

He actually had something planned the next day at Southern CA Univ. of Health Sciences (formerly LACC). He asked if I’d mind watching Ty even though Livvie would be at school and I’d be the one doing the entertaining. I said of course not. Whether it’s the shared birthday or maturity level, Ty and I get along great, we’d have fun.

Right before Steve left for his speech, I told him I could drop Ty off at the school. He appreciated it as he was in a hurry to get back to San Diego and I’d save him an hour.

Instead of throwing on Xbox for Ty so I could squeeze in a half hour of work, I asked him if he wanted to see where his dad went to school. His eyes lit up so we gathered our stuff.

In the car we talked a little about school. I asked him how he liked the other kids.

He got quiet. “Uncle Mark.” He waited until I was looking at him in the rearview. “I’m different from other kids.”

He sounded like he could use a hug. The odds of this being a good different weren’t very likely but I stayed upbeat. “Oh yeah, how’s that?”

“You can’t tell anyone.” Dead serious, not at all like a little kid, he made me promise. I had to say it out loud.

I was relieved when he spilled his secret, which I will never reveal.  “That’s not different. Nice try, buddy. I did that when I was your age. A lot of kids do. You’re cool.”

He let that set in a bit. “But I am different.”

I thought I’d be okay with this next revelation. It was turning into a game. “Because you smell funny?”

He said no with a small smile then went back to being serious. And this time he didn’t make me promise. “I know what animals think.”

“Now that’s pretty awesome. All animals?”

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

I went with it, found out what my dog really thinks of me. And my two cats who really don’t like how they’ve been treated since the baby. I snuck in some talk about being different, how that’s awesome no matter what because who wants everyone the same. I sure don’t.

We got to the school in a great mood and I showed him around the campus, asked him if he knew what his dad did.

“He’s a chiropractor.”

“Do you think that’s pretty cool?”

He nodded and said it was, even told me how his dad helps people.

And then a squirrel ran by. Ty crept up to it, just a few feet between them. I asked what the squirrel was thinking.

Like I should have known, he said, “This one doesn’t do it.”

The thoughtless squirrel took off up the tree. We snapped this photo and went on our way.

“Did you know that your dad does way more than just help the people he adjusts?”

Ty looked up for an explanation.

“Do you know what he’s doing today?”

“Talking.”

“He’s teaching. He’s teaching others how chiropractic can help kids. He’s helping them see how important and powerful the profession can be. I think that’s pretty awesome.” Without overdoing it, I threw in, “Your dad’s really smart and has taught me a lot of things.” I might have said, “But I can still beat him up though.”

“I’m hungry.”

I was too but we were half an hour early, no time to get food and make it back for the last few minutes of the talk. Since we were already at the room where it was being held, I asked, “You want to see your dad do his speech?”

He got excited. Like a 5-year-old with a ton of energy who hasn’t eaten recently.

I told him we’d have to be really quiet. “You think you can act like the other students in there.”

Ty said he could do it. I made him promise. We gave it a shot.

We took our seat toward the back, Ty grabbing his own chair instead of my lap. He kept his eyes on Steve and wasn’t fidgeting. I was surprised at how closely he was paying attention.

No longer worried about Ty, I sat back and enjoyed Steve’s lecture. I was impressed with how well he communicates his message and I had no problem following along. I kept glancing at Ty who continued to sit quietly, the longest I’d seen him do without a TV on. I couldn’t help but wonder how he viewed his dad, if he saw him as I did.

After patiently sitting there until the end of the talk, I took Ty up to the front where he jumped into his dad’s arms and gave him a huge hug. There was no mistaking the pride in his voice when Ty told him, “I love you.”