Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy Birthday "Phinnaeus"

Today is "Phinnaeus's" 14th birthday, which I find hard to believe. It seems it was just last week that he was born, and he missed being a Valentine's baby by only a couple of hours. When I first saw him, I was mesmerized by this tiny little blob of a human being. In some way, he seemed magical. If ever a human being could be a reincarnation of someone else, Phinnaeus is a reincarnation of my father. They look alike, they have the same personality, intelligence, sense of humor and innate sense of integrity. Phinnaeus is what you might call a "decent" person, and I think he will always be that way. Both he and his sister have that same inborn wholesomeness, even though they can sometimes get each other's goat on occasion.

Phinnaeus doesn't suffer fools gladly. He is an old soul, and even as a small child, he could often be extremely mature. I remember once when he was about four years old, he was sitting on the chesterfield, his feet didn't touch the floor and his arms were folded across his chest. He announced very importantly. "I love everyone I know, and I don't love everyone I don't know...!" It made complete sense to me.

As he begins to grow into a young man, he is becoming slightly more guarded, in an adult sort of way. He phones me every few days, "Hi, I'm just calling to say Hi..." and we have the most interesting conversations about politics, history, philosophy, religion, art, current events, and so much more. I enjoy our conversations because he makes me think. He's his own person, and after weighing all the issues about things, he comes to his own decisions and when he does, no one can sway him. I like that in a person. It sounds just like someone else I know -- I wonder who that could be ... hmmmmm ... let me think, let me think...

Phinnaeus has a wonderful sense of humor and a sense of the ridiculous. He understands irony, and he has perfect timing. He can do a flawless imitation of a cheesy 1980s aerobics instructor, that knocks me flat every time. Phinnaeus is a very good-looking young man and he has wonderful hair -- thick and wavy, however he keeps getting it cut really short. So, a few months ago I offered him $100 if he promised not to get his hair cut short for a long time. He kept his promise, so I have to keep mine.

Lucky Phinnaeus, he has the day off school today. What better birthday gift can a guy have?

Happy Birthday, Phinnaeus...!

32 comments:

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Happy Birthday to Phinnaeus. I hope he has an awesome day, specially seeing that he doesn't have to go to school.

the walking man said...

Grow well and strong kid. Enjoy your day and spending Grandma's gift.

VioletSky said...

With this new holiday, it is better to have missed a Valentine's Day birth!
Happy Birthday to Phinnaeus!

BALLET NEWS said...

Happy Birthday to Phinnaeus

Nicole said...

Happy Birthday to your grandson! He sounds like a great person to know.

Kimberly said...

Happy Birthday "P Man"...! Fourteen...that is a very important age.

DJan said...

He is also fortunate in his grandparentage, I would say... to be appreciated is huge, especially when you are a teenager.

DUTA said...

"He's an old soul" reminds me that as a child I used to be called by people in the family "an old head" as it seemed to them I was expressing mature ideas.

Happy Birthday to Pinnaeus!

Susan said...

Young Phinnaeus sounds like my son, who will soon be 23. He's very different from me in some ways, more measured, more careful, and I love to hear how his brain works.
Maybe someday Cullen and Phinnaeus will meet - it is, after all, a very small world. Wouldn't that be fun?
Happy birthday to your young man.

Pamela Kieffer said...

Happy birthday to Phinneaus

TC said...

Happy Birthday Phinnaeus. Sounds a bit like his Grandmother does he?

I used to be an old child too. I remember criticizing teenage cousins for being silly when I was like 8, ....tried to tell my family we didn't act right, needed to eat meals together etc....
Phinnaeus IS very lucky to have you to appreciate him.

PinkPanthress said...

He sounds like a very, very lovely Boy. ^_^
Happy Birthday Phinnaeus!

The Bug said...

My brother had lots of wavy hair - which he ruthlessly cut short so it would "behave." I remember many a morning in high school watching him wet down his hair & beat on it to make it stay (that technique didn't really work very well).

Happy birthday Phinneaus!

Brenda said...

Happy Birthday Phinnaeus! Tell him to be glad that he wasn't born on Valentines Day. My husband was born on Valentines Day and I was born on the 4th of July. Holiday birthdays are not that great. It always feels like "the holiday" and not your birthday. I often wonder what it would be like to have a a regular day set aside for my birthday.
Phinnaeus sounds like someone I would love to know. Having integrity is a blessing!

Amy said...

Jo, You are so fortunate to have a "Phinneaus" in your life, who actually picks up the phone to have a conversation with you, and on a regular basis. In this age of texting I've talked to grandparents who call their dear ones and say, "I just want to hear your voice."

A young person who is growing to be his own person is the most optimistic sign in our crazy world that their is hope.

Happy birthday Phinneaus!

Mclndesm said...

Happy Birthday Phinnaeus!!
Jo-
I love that you have such deep conversations with him, I think teens are underestimated all the time and they have a lot to say and a lot to teach us! What a wonderful connection.

Russell said...

I join the others in wishing Phinnaeus a most happy birthday.

I hope he and his family or perhaps the two of you will be able to see some of the Olympic activity going on in your town right now.

It is really special for a city to host the Olympics -- so perhaps you can make it even more special by sharing it with this young man!

Take care and give my best to him!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I can feel your love for this child in your tribute to him! He is a lucky one to have you in his life ...as you are blessed to have him. I feel the same way about my 14 yaer old grandson. Love to talk with him, he teaches me so much!

Happy Birthday Phinnaeus!

Katy said...

Happy Birthday Phinnaeus. How lucky to have the day off of school and a chance to be in the middle of the Olympics.

Jan said...

How about a watercolour of the grown up Phinnaeus - I have a picture of him in my mind and I want to compare notes

Alicia said...

Happy Bday Phinnaeus, you sound like a wonderful young man!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday also from Greece, where this name was once tranlated as the "love one". May he continue to spread love throughout his whole life.

Essie said...

Happy Birthday to your grandson...Grandma's are the best!

Cloudia said...

wonderful!



Aloha,


Comfort Spiral

Marcos Vinicius Gomes said...

Happy birthday...
And I suppose he likes to have a grandma like you!

Meggie said...

Happy Birthday to your Phinnaeus!
It is almost my birthday too... so glad I never have to be 14 again!

Wolynski said...

What a sweet post. Phinnaeus is a very unusual name - does it come from "80 Days Around the World"?

Jo said...

Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful birthday wishes to "Phinnaeus"...!

Cheers,

Jo

Ruth W. said...

I can't believe how old he is, I remember stories about him when he was much younger. He, and his sister are such a blessing in your life.

Mia said...

Happy birthday.

If he's available in 10 years have him give me a call.

Jeannette StG said...

Can tell you're very fond of Phinnaeus! Did you paint tast, Jo? That's a wonderful and thoughtful painting:)

Paula Slade said...

Phinnaeus sounds like a very special young man! I hope he had a wonderful birthday! :)