Nothing in this world is more frightening than the possibility that there is something wrong with your child. Fortunately, other than ear infections that would level grown men, my kids have always been perfectly healthy. Next week my son has an appointment at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to see a specialist about his eyes. For the first time I am faced with the possibility of our perfect health track record being tarnished.
For the past few months Will’s left eye has been wandering and turning inward. The doctors assure me there is nothing to worry about, that it will most likely be corrected by patching one eye to strengthen the other. However, a mama can’t help but freak out just a little.
Say a prayer for my kid if you think of it.
In the meantime, Will has medical worries of his own. Lately, he has become overly obsessed with his penis, clutching it like a security blanket at home, at the grocery store, at church…
Like all boys, Will is particularly fond of his manhood. I remember well the day he first discovered it. He marched down the hallway into the living room wearing nothing but a pair of green frog rain boots and his Davy Crocket coon-skin hat. He thrust his pelvis forward, pointing downward and announced, “Hey Mom! Check out my pee-pee!” It was a proud moment.
Since that day, he has developed some type of pee-pee paranoia. As a result, I am developing a case of pee-pee humiliation.
Last week, Canaan was “helping” me prepare supper and Will was marching in the kitchen. As usual, his hand was firmly clasped over his crotch.
“Will, do you need to go potty?” I asked looking up from the casserole before me.
He froze with his free hand out in front of him, glancing suspiciously around the room like some sort of spy. “No,” he answered is raspy whisper.
“Then stop holding your pee-pee,” I said.
“I have to protect it,” he said still in spy-stance. “There’s a bee in the house.”
