Phoenix News & Information

I’m not sure how many of you knew this, but last year I adopted a Norwich terrier from the AZHS and named him Stevie Wonder, after my favorite singer. My mother came to visit for Christmas and fell in love with Stevie (Steven when he misbehaves). So, 2 week-ends ago, I had to fly home to Virginia Beach for the wedding of my youngest brother. Since “Uncle” Scott Pasmore was unavailable to keep Stevie and I didn’t want to board him, I took him with me. Can you say MAJOR AIRLINE NIGHTMARE! In as much as I spoke with the airline beforehand and followed instructions accordingly, I think the staff I encountered had seen too may episodes of NBC’s “The Office.” So, I get Stevie situated, connect in Charlotte and arrive home. The wedding went smoothly and then my mom asks the million dollar question…”Can Stevie stay?” and I gave in for 2 reasons: my mom grew really attached to him and 2. You don’t argue with your Mama! But he’s in another loving home and it’s the same people who raised me…so I’m happy…sad alittle, but still happy.

Arizona

As this is my first blog entry, please bear with me. But, it is ironic that it is my first entry because the subject of this entry is the first day of school. Now, in most of the country, the day after labor day is the traditional start of school.

For those of you who’ve been watching 3tv for a while, you know that I have a son Jackson. He’s 19 months old, and last week my wife and I had to put him in day care for the first time. It was… an interesting experience.

I imagine most parents out there know what it’s like. Now, I work nights and my wife works days, so we’ve had a nanny for a few hours every afternoon. That was great for the first 18 months of Jackson’s life, but recently, one of our nanny’s had the misfortune of graduating from ASU, and she had to go join the “real world” (no, not MTV). So, my wife and I had to find a place for Jackson to go a few days a week. I think most parents understand what it’s like when you have to take your child (or children) to daycare for the first time.

No matter how you slice it, there’s a combination of guilt and worry. Worry that something could happen and guilt that you’re not there when it does. But, we had to do it, so we checked out a number of daycares.

What shocked and amazed us, was just how happy these kids were. Over here, kids are playing, over there, kids are napping. How could this be? Kids having fun without their parents? Well, when we finally settled on the daycare, there was more worry. How would Jackson respond? He, of course, is different than all the “other” kids. “They” might love daycare, but Jackson certainly will cry and cry and cry if we were to leave him with strangers.

So, on that fateful first day, I took a picture to capture the moment. I figured it would be the only smile I’d see ever again. As I was driving him to class, I thought about what I would do if I had to go pick him up later in the afternoon.

My wife called, twice, to see how he was doing and to ask if we were doing the right thing. I reassured her, while hiding my own feelings of doubt. Finally, when we arrived, I signed in and took him to his new class. The two “teachers” were very nice and welcomed us. So, I put Jackson down just knowing a river of tears would begin to flow from Jackson’s face.

Then, the unimaginable happened, he ran toward the other kids and never looked back.

I realized then that that was probably what I was worried about most. That Jackson is growing up, and for the first time I had to let him go just a little bit. And maybe I need him even more than he needs me.

Arizona