February 2, 2005; 22:03
Don’t you think for a moment, that because Edoardo lets me zip up his jacket when it is cold, he walks that way. It was only that morning that he stopped and waited for me on his way out. It must have been very cold.
But as soon as he is out of my sight he must open his jacket and walk fearlessly into the cold, freezing morning. He listens to the music in his MP3 with the headphones and does not zips up his jacket.
He has always walked with an open jacket and although skinny, he is very strong and can stand the freezing temperatures. He has grown in a cold climate, is used to the weather and besides, he is a teenager who loves the snow. When he hears that it is going to snow, he yells YES! I see the happiness on his face; the same happiness I experience when I see the ocean.
But he is not feeling well today – has a sore throat- so I rub his chest with Vapor Rub, give him an aspirin, something warm to drink just before bed time and I tell him again, that this is the result of his walking with an open jacket. Although he dismisses me with a gesture, I know that deep down he knows that I am right. Children always listen to their parents. No matter what one says to them. So, everyday I tell him that I love him. And it is true.