Totally Awesome

There are papers displayed in the hallways of Duncan's school. His teacher is great and lots of fun and the papers for their class are very interesting and different projects.


One of those projects is based on a Kevin Henke book called Chrysanthemum. It's about a little mouse that ends up loving her name by the end of the book, her name is Chrysanthemum. The children had to give their name, a nickname, a flower they would like to be named after and then if they could be named anything they wanted what would it be. Duncan said he would be named after a Cockscomb (seriously son?) but if he could be named anything he would be named Cox. Cox Cumby isn't all that bad though, his father and I would never have agreed on it. We had a horrible time choosing names and boy names gave us particular trouble. Of all the things he might have been named, Cox certainly wasn't on the list.


One little boy in the class, who shall remain un-named, said if he could be named anything he would want to be named Horny. Seeing as how I am a twelve year old boy trapped in a 30ish woman's body, I almost doubled over in laughter over that one. I have no idea how the teacher could have kept a straight face.



Another paper, based on a different book, was a fill-in-the-blank about themselves. They had to fill in their name and then some traits about themselves followed by I am always _____________ and the most important thing about me is that I am ______________________. Of course, Dunk had great answers- he said he was always handsome and the most important thing about him was that he was funny. Very true.



One of his buddies in class, though, has provided me with great inspiration for this difficult week. His answer was I am always awesome. This is my new motto. You cannot think of this and not smile. Having a bad day? Look in the mirror and repeat three times " I am always awesome" It's the new I'm OK, You're OK.



When I think it, I cannot help but think of all the times I was so NOT awesome. Like the time in sixth grade when I tripped and fell flat on my face on the first day of school. Or the day breast milk leaked all over my shirt. I do mean ALL over it. Or the time in high school that my dear friend Courtney told me to put toothpaste on a zit to make it go away. I did and it did make the zit go away. It also burned a whole straight through my skin and I had a giant burn on my chin throughout Christmas and a ski trip to Santa Fe. Or the time I drank too much beer at a rodeo and spent the evening throwing up in a bathroom at the Ponderosa. Ewwww.


So, my wacky personality finds this all too funny. What can I say? I am easily amused. And remember, I am always awesome.