8/22/2007

18

My younger son, also known as The Traveler, turns 18 today. We went to a Japanese restaurant to celebrate this important birthday together over dinner. I talk about my kids a lot. By now I have told you many times that whereas my older son talks and writes and expresses himself quite freely, my younger son is quiet and reflective. He sees and feels everything, and if pressed, he will tell you his very articulate opinion of things, but seldom voluntarily. An 18th birthday is a significant event for a young individual. It is a turning point of sorts, where the society expects maturity and responsibility of the individual. Beginning in May, I have seen many signs of change in him, showing his readiness to take responsibility, working and caring about people around him. This past week he also started college. Among the requisite math and English and humanities courses he has chosen this semester, he also enrolled in a sign language class. I didn't need to ask him why he would want to learn sign language. It is all so natural for a person who says so little, to want to communicate with people who can say even less. But the most amazing event of the week of his 18th birthday was something that I hold personally dear and meaningful. He wrote his first short story for his English class. Our family now has another storyteller.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

تبریک به این مناسبت خجسته! داشتن مادری مثل شما قطعاً برای دو دلبندتان موهبتی است. شاد و خوش باشید

Anonymous said...

happy happy birthday happy happy birthday. tavalodet mobarak
buon compleanno

Anonymous said...

نازی گلم، عزیز دلم بالاخره تونستم وارد این صفحه کامنتینگت بشم. اولا تبریک فراوان به خاطر تولد، در ضمن میخواستم از لطف همیشگیت در حق خودم تشکر کنم. ممنون.// عزیزم می بوسمت

Anonymous said...

تولد پسرتون مبارک .مطمئنم که یک دنیا خاطره از این روز دارین .امیدوارم خنده هاتون همیشه پر دوام باشه

Anonymous said...

Happiest of birthdays. Very special milestone in one's life.

Anonymous said...

Nice...
Actually in Iran 18 year B-day is usually a hard moment...
Konkoor, military service... :D

By the way that actionis called:
Tazmin kardan.
and the poem I've wrote is mosamate mokhamas :D

shad ziid
Rasti in ham hadye tavalod :D
http://amirhomayoun.persiangig.com/music/Ahdieh/Ahdyeh%20-%20Tavalodat%20Mobarak.htm

Nazy said...

Alef Shin Jan. Thank you for coming and for the compliment. I have a feeling many days my kids don't think I'm such a "gift" to them! I, on the other hand, think the two of them to have been gifts to me. Such is the basic difference between being a child and a parent. Have a good day.

Nazy said...

Salam Bar Mehran The Surfer! I'm glad the surfing board did not hit your eyes or break your nose! It does sound like a lot of fun, though. Thanks for your good wishes. They will be conveyed to my son tonight. Come again.

Nazy said...

Lucky Heart, this is a fabulous surprise! I don't know what to say about my comments screen. I'm glad you got in so I could see you here! I always come and read you. Thank you for your good wishes. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Thank you sweet Mana. Every year on their birthdays I would tell them the story of the day they were born. They put up with me and listen. It is their gift to me, I guess! Last night I didn't do it, as their friend Iden was there and I thought it would really embarrass them! So, see, I'm not completely out of control! It was a good evening, as best as it can get when you go out with 3 young men. At one point they came to sing him a Japanese Happy Birthday Song, and he was mortified with the attention! Anyhow, it's all good, whatever we go through as our children grow, I believe. Different each year, but good. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Hello Serendip. Indeed. I was married to my children's father shortly after my 18th birthday! I thought I was so smart and knew everything there was to know about everything! So far away from that age, I realize how little I know about only a few things! Be good my friend.

Anonymous said...

Shobeir Jan. I know what you mean about turning 18 and having to take the Konkoor. Yikes! I remember in 1993 my niece had taken the exam and we were on pins and needles to see if she had been admitted into the dentistry program. On the day the results were announced, she was standing by a newspaper stand near Vanak Square, and my older sister and I were driving up and down Vali-e-Asr Avenue, stopping people who had newspapers in their hands, begging them to let us see if her name was on the list. We finally found her name on the list! So we went back to where she was standing and told and her friend to get in the car with us. She wouldn't come, so we told her that we had seen her name on the list. She and her friend were so happy they started singing and dancing in a circle on the street, and we had a hard time pushing them into the car before we all got into trouble! When you have a moment, take a look at Parsa's blog, http://parsa1986.blogfa.com/. I can't really make out what is troubling him, but I think it has to do with his Konkoor exam results.

Thank you for the Farsi literature lesson! Mosamate Mokhamas (5's, right?). This is when I miss writing and reading in Farsi. English is not a good language in which to learn Farsi literature!

Thanks for the birthday song. I will make sure he receives your gift tonight. Be good Shobeir The Poet.

Anonymous said...

Nazi jaan,

Salaam,

Special happy birthday to your son.
To me,seeing the differences between siblings is very interesting.
Sometimes, we except our people around including friends or colleague to act the same regardless differences between human beens even in siblings.

Best wishes for you and your loved ones,
Aida

Anonymous said...

Hello Aida Jan! Yes, indeed, no two people are exactly the same, even siblings. I have several brothers and sisters and each of us has pursued a different path in his/her life. Though we share so much in values instilled in us by our parents and many memories which are the mosaic of our characters, we are so different from one another. Some expressive, some quiet, some reclusive and some very sociable. Also, our choices of profession from science to trade to service to arts place each of us in different circles, and our social cliques and requirements affect how we interact with others. Similar but different. Different yet similar.

Take care Aida Jan. Is it going to be really cold where you are soon?

Anonymous said...

مرسی نازی مهربون. امیدوارم برای تو هم جادوی عشق موثر بیفته...
آذر- آذرستان

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday you traveler! take good advantage of your age, it is fantastic ;) and wish u all the best you handsome ! ;)
and to you dear Nazy, a big "khaste nabashid" for all of these years and wish for 18th birthday of your grandchild always with happiness ;) ( so i mean the long time together), bussi, Farnaz.

Nazy said...

Bah Bah Azare Azizam! Welcome. What an honor to have you vist! Enjoy the miracle of love as only two newly-weds can. I am delighted for your union. Be good Aroos Azar.

Nazy said...

Farnice Jan, Salam! I wasn't sure whether you wanted to be called Farnaz, so I try to stay with your blogname! Thanks so much for your good wishes. I had him read all the good wishes himself and he is grateful to all. He and I were just having an interesting conversation. He says that my writings make him look better than he is! I disagree. Thanks for coming Farnaz Jan and be good my friend.

Anonymous said...

Dear Nazy,
First , i always think "FarNice" is too clear or "tablo" that it is a Farnaz behind! ;) so, be relax, u can call me whatever you want.
second, i am disagree too, you are too honest to exagerate about them or give a better picture . and tell him that i know he is handsome not because of her mother's blog! ;)

Nazy said...

Farnaz Jan, I waited to see him before I replied to your comment, but Mr. 18 seems to be out and about as his friend Iden will leave tomorrow! When I see him I will tell him. You are so kind to write for him! Be good azizam.

Anonymous said...

First of all, Happy Birthday to Traveler Jan!

I am glad he is taking sign language. I imagine one day he is all grown up and someone who cannot communicate with others will be in need of help. He will be one, and special, among a crowd of helpless people who don't understand this person in need. After he "speaks" with him or her via sign language, it will leave such a strong impact on him. Knowing that he learned something few people choose to learn, and that all that made a big difference in the life of a stranger.