Happy Birthday to Our Fiery Flame Haired Boy!

Today in SkinnerWorld, we celebrate our favorite red-haired boy's 11th birthday.  I will never forget the moment the doctor held him up to me and I saw that flaming red hair that matched his screaming red face.  I should have known we were in for quite a ride.

A quick search of the internet reveals these stereotypes about our little man and his fellow redheads - who apparently comprise only 1-3% of the population.

"The common belief is that people with red hair have a fiery temper. It’s tempting to think that this is merely an association between the color red and the emotions it evokes, but there is more to it than that. Historically, the Norse god Thor (most commonly associated with thunder, lightning and storms) was often depicted with red hair." - (www.nuhart.com)

A common belief about redheads is that they have fiery tempers and sharp tongues. (www.wikipedia.com)

According to Ayurvedic medicinal scripture, redheads in ancient India were thought most likely to have "Pitta" temperaments, which are driven and organized but quick to anger and excitement. (www.popsugar.com)

Well.

I can't imagine what in the world they're talking about. 

Your presence has always been one that makes a statement, little man. 

That's why this summer I was tickled to pieces to find that the official tournament photographer was able to perfectly capture this sequence of your calm, reserved nature during the semi-final game of the Tournament of State Champions in North Carolina which clearly prove all those stereotypes wrong.

We love you, our little fiery tempered, sharp tongued, spirited spit fire of a boy.  We think God made you just that way so that you could hold your own in this house full of testosterone.

But as your mama and a middle child (see stereotypes such as peacemaker, conflict avoider, et al.) while these photos made me giggle at your um . . .energy, they also gave me pause.  Perhaps, proceed with caution, son.

Sweet boy, as you know, you and your teammates had to amp up the attitude to win this particular game because this young man and his team were LEGIT.  They played their hearts out and he ran like the wind to get home.  I admit that when your buddy made that perfect throw to you and you gave everything you had to get that out, I, too, was doing a bit of the SUPERFREAK.

But darlin'.

I think we might want to give some thanks and praise that this fine young man could not see you in his peripheral vision.  It appears that if he had a mind to, he had the potential to stand up and knock you flat out, bud.  Just be mindful, sweets.  That whole "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog" might be true, but just in case, you best be sure you can run for your life next time you try this little stunt.

I love your fire, Drew.  I love your spark and your spirit and the way you wear your heart on your sleeve.

But I also know that you are not one dimensional.  God, gave you a giant, sweet, loving heart and a smile that turns me to mush.  He did not leave any wasted space in creating you.  I am blessed to be your mama.  Happy day to you.