September 26, 1968... The cutest little tow-head, ever, entered this world. He was my smallest, only 8#. Where that shock of blonde hair came from was anybody's guess. No wrinkles, no redness, no splotches. A beautiful baby boy.
Jeff was an easy baby. His brother and sister had been work as infants. My older son was colicky and didn't allow for a lot of sleeping and their sister, a year younger than my oldest, was allergic and prone to projectile vomiting whenever and wherever. But, I was lucky, they were all "good" babies. This last one was overflowing with love and joy for all around him. He had a smile that lit up the block.
He was barely two months old when he went on his first real outing. We leaders took the cub scout pack to Universal Studios and I had a slew of little guys who were counting on that trip and no sitter so their mascot went along. Fortunately, one of the dad's went with us in place of his wife and he helped cart, carry, and drag all the stuff that goes when and where baby goes. The older two were just starting school so wherever I went, Jeff went along. He happily entertained himself but was equally happy to be part of a group.
He was maybe 2 years old and he had the requisite security blanket. He would sit in front of the washer & dryer in a panic while I washed and dried it. It got left at the park one afternoon and no one was going to get any sleep that night unless it was found. The search party brought it home from its hiding place under some shrubs and that one night it was allowed in his bed with dirt, twigs, pieces of leaves and all.
The older two attended day care until regular school started in the mornings and Jeff stayed through the day. He got on well, made friends, especially with one little girl whose parents were from Jamaica. One Saturday, these people who were of very dark skin, picked up my little white-skinned blond and kept him for the weekend. They were all going to Disneyland. Daddy said they really got the looks with this little tow-head hand in hand with their daughter. Talk about ebony & ivory. And this was early 70's, not common practice yet. But, he said, they had a great time!
Jeff did well in elementary school. He was a smart little guy. But he was extremely sensitive and took offense easily. Junior High school was his downfall. Like his big brother, he lost his interest in school and never regained it. He found he liked the outdoors and after high school joined the California Conservation Corp., then he went to work for a lodge just outside the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. From there, he discovered rock music. A few years back, he found he has a real talent with computers and computer graphics. If you can think it, he can design and print it - on pretty much any and everything.
It hasn't been an easy road for him. He's made some turns in less than ideal directions, is still very sensitive and easily hurt or offended. But he's plowing through and his mom reminds him that she's wishing him a really good day for his Birthday! With love!
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