Felix the Elder

Felix makes a lot these days of being "one of the elders." He'll often note that of the five of us, especially when his sisters have run ahead, that it's the three elders who remain behind. Often he'll put his arms around Tina and myself and we'll do "an elder's hug".

He exists in an in-between place where people his own age have a hard time relating. Kids need to be kids, to run as fast as they can, invent entire universes, imagine a thousand different futures for themselves. Felix has been to the edge of death and back; he walks crooked. He doesn't quite fit in anywhere; he's not a typical ten year old, my an stretch. Nor is he fifty and ready for park-bench sharing of time's greatest lessons.

I think in time it will ease for him. As he gets older and less dependent on his exact age-group peers for companionship, he'll find his people. But that could be years away. As he heals, as he recovers his child's energy, as he starts to re-inhabit his pre-teen body, he'll find more in common with is peers. But for today, it's yet another challenge to overcome. I hope it's one that brings you wisdom instead of sadness dear son Felix.

Love,
popi