On Thursday (11/22/12), Anne and I hosted Thanksgiving at our home. Our guests included our son Kyle, our daughter-in-law Diane and their son, 12 year old Keoni.
This was an excellent opportunity for me to really get to know what is new in Keoni's life and to listen to his perspective on life in general. With a big smile I greeted him and he smiled back as I asked him questions to encourage him to speak.
Questions such as, How is school? ("Fine"), What is your favorite class? ("Math") Why? (Shrug and a smile) What is your favorite sport? ("Basketball") Why is that your favorite sport? (Shrug and a smile) Have you played on the basketball court below your backyard? ("Yes") Did you enjoy it? ("Yes").
This is how our conversation went, my questions and Keoni's one or two or three word answers or a smile and a shrug. Finally Diane, who had been listening to our conversation, chuckled and said that she gets the same kind of answers from Keoni. I laughed, hugged Keoni and ended our conversation.
When I was 12 years old, perhaps I was the same way as Keoni is with adults, or at least as he is with his mother and me, wanting to keep my thoughts to myself. But he does have a beautiful smile.
Knowing how much he enjoys Anne's homemade chocolate pudding, a little later she gave him a big portion, even serving him before everyone else. But I noticed he didn't even touch his spoon until everyone else was served and I complimented him for his manners and thoughtfulness.
He is a beautiful child and a very nice boy and I suspect as he grows a little older, his self-confidence will grow as well and he will become very personable with adults as he probably already is with kids his own age.
Dick
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