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...!