Yes, it is STILL so flipping hot in New Jersey. Thunderstorms expected daily through Wednesday when the weather is FINALLY expected to break from a high of 85 to a high of 66 on Thursday, then rain for several days thereafter. I can hardly wait for the lower temps - and I'm sure the local electric company feels the same way!
The down side of getting that break is that it is likely to rain out my nephew Steve's outdoor high school graduation ceremony - which means he only gets 2 tickets to the indoor auditorium for his parents, and only a few more of us could go to the gymnasium to watch it on video feed. With an extended family of about 9 who wanted to attend, that's going to be disappointing -- but we can't fight nature. So, unless we get a miracle break from the rain, I won't be seeing him graduate other than maybe on video tape.
What I have been experiencing with Steve's pending graduation and his upcoming 18th birthday on July 3rd, is getting very "misty" around the eyes as I remember what it's been like watching him grow up all these years. Not being a mom myself, I have so enjoyed having Steve (and his younger sister, Beth, age almost-13) in my life. These are 2 truly terrific kids - they aren't perfect and they get into their share of scrapes (Steve's first couple of months as a driver were heart-stopping for us in more ways than one, but at least no one got hurt), but overall they are really good kids and they have really nice friends.
I remember the day Steve was born. My poor sister was in labor for 26 hours but delivered him "naturally" (OK, with some painkillers but who could blame her), and he was literally the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. No "cone-head", no unsightly blotches - just perfect with a splash of his mother's red hair. I fell in love instantly.
He's been an energetic and entertaining force in our lives ever since. I introduced him to his first Chinese food when he was 3, and to the B-52's "Love Shack" which we used to sing together when he was about 5. He's affectionate and surprisingly, still gives the best hugs and isn't embarrassed about doing that in front of his friends. We've gone to Yankee games together, just the two of us, and had some pretty candid conversations over the years - it's nice that we can talk openly and I hope he remembers that if he's ever in a jam and doesn't know who he can come to for support.
I feel lucky to have been able to create such a bond with him. He's really blossomed in the past two years, having changed hobbies from paint-ball to girls (and currently dating a really lovely girl we all like a lot). He's become a class officer and active in class activities, and the co-captain of the swim team, so he's learned about leadership and contribution. He's a guy who has inherited a great sense of humor (his dad's brother, in particular, missed his true calling as a stand-up comic) and who seems to get along well with the people around him. He's also headstrong and stubborn, inclined to care more about his social life than his studies (I think he got THAT from me), and has a lead foot behind the wheel which of course makes me pray he will just survive his own youth long enough to realize that going fast isn't the most important thing in life. Last year he thought it would be "cool" to own an actual MONKEY and he put in a "muffler" on his car that actually makes it LOUDER because he thinks that is also "cool"... so clearly he's got a bit of maturing to do.
He's heading for college (a couple hours away in Pennsylvania) in August and before goes, we're doing one last fun thing together - tickets to "Spamalot" on Broadway, both of us being big Python fans. Wherever he goes in life after this and whatever he does, I hope he continues to grow on the inside and I can't wait to see what he becomes. One thing is for sure - he is well and truly loved by his entire family.
OK, I have to stop now... I'm misting up again.
