Happy Birthday, Frank

"A home without a grandmother is like an egg without salt." -Florence King

Today is Frank's birthday.  He is twelve.  He has been celebrating his birthday since Friday when he returned home from school, so today is somewhat anticlimactic.  I waited until this morning to give him his card which contained a check - Frank loves holding onto money!  He is the rare child who has the ability to forego immediate gratification and wait until he has enough money to buy something BIG!


Frank, along with his mom and sister, lives with me.  After Dean died I asked Christy, Frank's mom and my only daughter, if she might want to live with me if I returned to SLC.  Christy being a divorced mother of two with a fulltime career, limited space and limited funds was thrilled with this offer.  So, I bought a 3400 square foot house in an upscale neighborhood with a living room, family room, rec room, five bedrooms and three baths and we have shared this for four years now.  We all get along fine because none of us hold grudges, we usually say what we mean and mean what we say and we know how to share.  I grew up in a large rollicking Creole family and while Christy had only a brother, she had the experience of my siblings and their famillies.  Acceptance has always been my family's strong suit.


Frank and I have a pretty good relationship.  For some reason Frank knows that I know that he has his mother wrapped around his pinky finger.  Frank and I have come to know each other quite well.  He respects me and does not "mess" with me the way he does with his Mom.  I quite like our relationship.  It is genuine and while I do not always approve of Frank, I love him and see the humor in him.  He is very smart and talented, despite the limitations suffered by a spoiled "mama's boy."  I can say that because I raised one.  Frank and his Uncle Rick are much alike.  So, I can appreciate Frank, and truth be told, I'm probably the most realistic relationship he has right now.


So, happy, happy, Frank!