Thirty years ago,
“Scott, don’t leave your mouth open like that?”
“Like what, mom?”
“People who have their mouth open all the time look dumb.”
“What if I’m eating?”
“You can open and close it when you are eating.”
Today,
“Sun Su, why are you blinking so much?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t have to blink four or five times in a row. Once or twice, you know?”
“I can’t help it, appah.”
“I just don’t want people thinking there’s something wrong with you. Other kids don’t do that all the time.”
I paused at the stairway after saying that to my son. Bad dad. Wondered how I could make it up to him, but also unable to take it back because I truly do want him to stop with the nervous tics or whatever this blinking is. I suspect he’ll grow out of it. I know I’m lucky to have a smart, adorable, sweet, normal boy. I just don’t want people to think there’s something wrong when there isn’t.
He continued playing as usual.
His only flaw might be me.
But, just in case, give him {{{{{Hugs}}}}} from Halmonie Sil.