When My Sons Laugh

There are few things that bring me greater pride than the relationship my sons have with each other.  These two 20-somethings, who are 3 years and 3 months apart in age, could not be more different in personality, style, and demeanor.  They were different as night and day as babies, as little boys, and as teens.  While some of their current interests overlap, there are many differences between the two when it comes to their choosing how they spend their time. 

My older son likes to stay home.  That was true even before he was married with children.  My younger son is always looking to connect with friends, out and about.  But they both value family more than anything else in the world, a common attribute for which I take some credit and for which I feel very lucky.

I've always believed that my older son, who now has a family of his own, is an old soul.  He can see the world from afar and has a clear perspective of nearly everything he experiences.  He is so skilled at looking at the overall picture, that one of his grade school soccer coaches observed him coaching his teammates from the field.  But he wasn't moving as he offered directions to his teammates.  Rather, he would stand in the center of the field with his hands on his hips.  He saw clearing the strategy his team needed to score a goal, and he was directing his teammates accordingly.  After several minutes of this behavior, his coach got his attention by shouting out is last name.  Then he said quite loudly and clearly, "Get IN the game!"  That's my older son.  Sees the strategy and absorbs the detail; knows what needs to be done to reach the goal.  He is a home body who has kept friends he made beginning in the 3rd grade.  His humor is wise, dry, and always perfectly timed.     

My younger son is a younger soul.  He has always lived in the moment, filtering through a personal lens everything that happens to him and to others.  He is always on the go, is charismatic, and has an endearing quality about him that has attracted males and females of all ages to him all his life.  He makes friends easily and is a loyal friend to those he trusts.  His humor is physical in nature, and he has an uncanny ability to impersonate the rich and famous.  He began to perfect this talent when he was about 9 years old.  He could sound exactly like Elvis, Forrest Gump, Ace Ventura, and others.  What was fascinating though was that when I asked him to have Elvis impersonate Forrest Gump, he did it.  And he could then reverse it, Forrest Gump impersonating Elvis.  Perfection.  He has a keen ear for dialects and accents and, without preparation, he can instantly sound as though he is from somewhere other than Northern California.  A true talent.

Now, put these two together and it is quite the combination!  A few years ago, there was an opportunity for the 3 of us to converge from different corners of the community to lunch together.  Each of my sons would begin with their own style of humor, and in less than 3 minutes of our being together, I was laughing hysterically, complete with stomach muscles aching and tears rolling down my face. 

But even when I am not with them, my sons love to spend time with each other.  My younger son frequently heads to his brother's house on the weekends to spend time with his brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew.  When my sons are together, there is a synergy that is the result of pure chemistry.  That synergy was certainly combustible when they were growing up!, but there is a balance now that is constant.

The moments I love best are when my younger son is "performing" in some way, whether it is an impersonation or just teasing someone, and my older son is genuinely amused.  As my younger son experiences personally and makes the best of any given moment for the people who are in that moment with him, my older son is naturally detached and is observing all that is happening around him.  And, from afar while giggling nearly uncontrollably, my older son is in awe of his younger brother. 

When my sons are engaged and attentive to one another, it speaks volumes to the love, respect, and admiration they have for each other.  As their mother, I can think of no greater accomplishment I have achieved than fostering a relationship between siblings that will last a lifetime.  I just love it when my sons laugh. 

And on we go.

    

Comments

[Sheila]

I just happened upon your blog this morning. I have two boys, 13 and 11 and your post hit home with me. I found myself nodding and crying while reading. You obviously did something right while raising them. Thank you for sharing their stories with me. I often think of how my boys will be when with each other when they are grown. I hope they are like your boys!