Their son, who is 12, is a star soccer goalie, and it just so happens that being a soccer goalie is Adam’s latest passion. When we asked the older boy, Alex, if he would share some basic tips with Adam, who is new to the game, Alex was very generous and encouraging–talking with an insight that was obviously well-earned. I wouldn’t say that Adam listened with rapt attention (he is 8) but he seemed to be taking it in in his half-listening half-eyeballing everything else around him kind of way. (We were in a Japanese restaurant.)
Having checked off the soccer box successfully, I figured I’d ride the momentum and see if Alex would share his wisdom on a topic I knew that he and his parents had struggled with when he was Adam’s age, in much the same way we do now.
“Hey Alex, could recommend any books you loved to read when you were eight, nine, ten…books you really loved that you think Adam would like?”
Alex, who was still in helpful mode, thought about it, and with a sheepish smile, began: “Well, to be honest, reading hasn’t always been my passion…”
It turned out to Adam really was paying attention. He jumped right on it.
“Finally,” he declaimed for all to hear with the passion of a Tennessee Williams heroine. “Finally, someone who understands me!”
–Eric Messinger
