making extraordinary...

Dear Augosto.

On Monday, I learned about something called "Making Strange." It's a term used when a character turns something very mundane into something extremely extraordinary.

Coincidentally, a few days later, life imitated art. You did something that could be considered very very ordinary. Yet, it was something totally opposite because ordinary things don't make me feel the way I felt when I saw what you were doing.

You pushed yourself up with your arms.

Crazy, huh?

I was in the living room reading a few openings from various plays that I had checked out from the library. Just as I was two pages into Octavio Solis' Santos & Santos, your mother came running into the room.

"C'mere. Hurry!"

Just as quickly as she said those words, she disappeared back into the bedroom.

I threw down my book and followed.

Arriving in the bedroom, I saw your mother standing by your bassinet. A wide smile all over her face.

"What's up?" I said.

She pointed.

There you were. On your stomach, but you were pushing yourself up with both arms. It kind of looked like you were doing push-ups. :)

Smiling was the least I could do. I laughed. I was wordless. I was also feeling those tingles that I got when I first met you.

If this were a movie, sappy John Williams music(the guy who did the soundtrack to E.T.) would kick in and my eyes would start to glaze with tears. Flashbacks would also ensue. Your mom showing me the pregnancy test. Your sonogram picture. Me cutting the umbilical cord.

As I think about what you did, it makes me realize that this is one of those things that one can only truly appreciated when one becomes a parent.

I remember those times that my friends told me about their kids' milestones. Teething. Walking. Speaking. Eating solid food. (not all in the same order)

But none of it seemed like a really big deal.

Until now!



I can't wait to see what you do next.

Have a great night.

Love

Dad.

PS. We are back in Milwaukee for the weekend. We planned on being here yesterday but mother nature decided to dump a lot of snow in the Chicago/Milwaukee area.