My son wanted a fedora. We did find one and it does look good on him. He wants his school photo retaken with it and seems rather obsessed about it because he has mentioned it several times.

†Now this is a kid who only last month began combing out his bed head hair. For years, we have waited in the car for himÖarriving late for every event. †

†I suspect there is a girl involved in this hat thing.

Today, he also tied a necktie on over his t shirt and tucked it in under his favorite hoodie. (Evidently duct tape and this same hoodie will be part of this yearís Halloween costume ñ a zombie from some video game he enjoys.) Itís a red and black job from the seventies that he found in the deepest regions of the closet where the old things we donít wear anymore hang. He said it was for Spirit Week at school.†

†Itís got to be about a girl.

†This is all very confusing to me. †He makes the cat sleep in his room, and still watches cartoons as he slurps Cheerios. Yet, when he talks, his voice cracks.††When did he get so tall? His feet are huge, his appetite bottomless, and has outgrown every pair of pants he owns. Yesterday he loomed over me, squeaking, ìMom, did you know you have grey hairs all in the back, too?î

†My motherís heart clenches when I see him in his Boy Scout uniform, complete with shoulder amulets and a silk scarf. I canít help thinking he walks like a soldier -- I have resolved that he is a patriot and will probably enter the military. He has researched the college opportunities of serving his country and is interested in computerized game applications for simulation trainings. †But that is a ëman and his countryí thing and a long ways away, right? After all, heís only in the seventh grade.

†This morning as he sauntered out the door, I realized he was on a quest, one of many to play out thru his life. Does a hat and tie make up a man? I think so. He looked so handsome, sheíd† better notice. I know I did.