Jordan

Friday our youngest son, Jordan, turned thirteen years old. And this is something to celebrate. Why? Because Jordan is the ultimate celebrator. And yet he is an amazing cross between a Trappist monk, a pied piper of children, and a mimic (and memorizer) of tales he has heard (and loved), and (and this is a very special and unique gift) a young person seemingly comfortable in his own skin. In short - he is a wonder.

Jordan is the one among us who is most comfortable in a crowd. Though he would much rather be alone. Jordan loves children, though he claims to be annoyed by them, he will spend three days with his young cousins -- they will follow him around, play with him, climb over and around him, and never a word of complaint arises from him -- never seeking a moment of hiding away from them. He is amazing.

He loves the camera -- positions himself both in front of it and behind it. On Monday he will go to film a Shortridge Soccer game (talk about a thankless task). But point a camera at him and he will not be shy -- he will show you something. It may be funny. It may be quiet. It may be outrageous. But it will be all him. And all his choice. He is himself. Oh...it is a rare gift that he is -- being comfortable as he is in his own skin.

He will tell you what he thinks of something. He loves to tell a story -- either something that he witnessed or that happened to him - or one of the stories that he sees on television or in a movie. He memorizes dialogue of his favorite stories - and will spill it out to you at just the slightest opening.

He eats just a few things. He loves pasta - spaghetti and elbow macaroni and shells and penne are among his favorites. He likes a good steak. He like Ramen noodles, un cooked, with the sauce, dry, poured on top. He likes bread -- but only with the edges cut off. He likes hot dogs (sometimes). He likes peanut butter meltaways from the South Bend Chocolate Company. There are a few other favorites but not many.

Each of us is a unique creation. And I see (in my own life and others) that it is often to forget that. But Jordan is a wonderful reminder to me each and every day to trust and believe in who God made each of us to be. What a gift that is. Thank you Jordan!