Seth's Perfect Number

Seth turns 7 today. This boy brings immense delight to my heart.



Two days ago, Miska and I had (another) conversation where Seth, with a word and a wink, revealed his tenderness and compassion. As Seth hopped away (he's something like Tigger, bouncing and twirling and smiling most everywhere he goes), Miska said, "Where did that boy come from?"



I'm pretty sure Seth came from us - I was there for most of it. Still, I share her question: Where did that boy come from?



When I arrived home yesterday, Seth had to talk to me. One of his classmates has been having a rough go. Whenever a parent visits their first-grader for lunch, the kid can pick two friends to eat with him out in the courtyard, with the turtles. But, for one boy in Seth's class, this has not gone well.



"Dad," Seth said, "you need to come eat lunch with me tomorrow."



"Why, Seth?"



"Well, whenever a parent comes to eat lunch, ______ always asks nicely if he can eat lunch with them. And no one ever picks him! And he always asks nicely. But still, they always tell him 'no.' So, today I told him I would get my dad to come eat lunch with me – and he could eat with us."



Insert: dad's tears.



"And, dad, no one plays with him very much either. He likes to sit by me – but he has to sit by the teacher a lot (apparently, he's a bit of a wild one…). So, dad, you have to come eat lunch with me. Tomorrow.



I did. Of course I did. Noon appointments cancelled, I had a lunch to go to. I was Seth's co-conspirator in friendship and kindness. Really, I was just watching. And learning.



I love this boy. Happy birthday, Seth. You are a gift to this world.