Tomorrow is my Baby Boy’s legal alcohol drinking birthday and I wanted to be the first to share wishes and guidance on achieving this milestone.
I cannot say enough about how this makes me feel-somewhat liberated as though I have arrived, continuously concerned and fearful about what this birthday really means legally (he could legally do everything except consume alcohol prior); proud that my genius who scored in the 97th percentile on his intelligence quotient, like Einstein, defies convention as to the path that a 125+IQ should take him, who worries me for the introvert he is and who began his personal journey to self against societal conventions (that were mine for him as well), though he had always been on a journey to his unique self.
I am proud of my boy because unlike me, he didn’t settle for his parent’s choice of a life for him, he had the guts to stand up for his right to be different and to take unconventional paths earlier on. I have lived my life vicariously through the eyes of such persons all of my life until now, never really having the courage or the brawn to oppose my parents ‘ decisions over my life until now. I waited until now to make choices I dreamed of in college and soon after. My son has taught me so much about living the strength of one’s convictions and today, I can truly say I see the person he struggled to be and I am happy.
My friends who were close during Raja’s younger years, tia Stacy, Uncle Mark and others, you know, you saw his cry for early independence, and in the midst of my fear and stress you cautioned me that he would be fine. You were clearly right.
So Raja Harrison, I toast you on the eve of your 21st birthday. I have read the superior intellect behind your thoughtful posts, way beyond your years and I concede that I am a helicopter Mom who worries too much about a young man destined for greatness on his own terms. I respect your decisions and choice to proceed as you have and will continue to be your admirer who loves and cares for you beyond measure.
Fly my little eagle. The world is your oyster, but be careful how you shuck it, remembering that nothing less than your God ordained privilege will bring you joy. Proceed circumspectly as all young minority males should in 21st century America, recognizing that your natural talents and abilities will always take you places where poor character can rob you of enjoying the fruits, so continue being a young man of good morals and integrity and you will arrive in all such places, on your own terms of course. Love Mommy.