The Opportunist- Isaac son of Christian
“Isaac’s log, 3.1: Day 7 of Isolation. I have’t been outside these walls for days. I can’t remember the last time I had a timbit. Mmm timbits. Something has changed in the home here lately. No van rides. No trips to stores. I think somethings up, hopefully it’s not another sibling. This room is cramped as it is. Wait! She’s stirring! I can see her staring at me through these wooden bars…my older sister…Ava. Maybe she might help me make some noise to bust this joint. Hey sister, you awake? Isaac’s log, out.”
That’s how I picture Isaac’s mornings lately. Keeping an audio log of his self-isolation. After first being told by our Dr. to self-isolate, due to a viral infection for my wife and me getting sick—and with the spread of COVID-19– I never fully grasped what staying home with four children, under five years old, for fourteen days, would be like when he first said this. No drives around the neighborhood, no play groups for the children, no sleepovers for our oldest, just home. All day. Everyday. For fourteen…long…days. Home. However, today’s post is all about Isaac, not about my slowly dissolving morale for being housebound. Three of my children have been spoken of in this series, and now, last but not least, Isaac. Our little Opportunist.
As the youngest of four siblings, Isaac has adapted to his surroundings quite well for a twenty month old. Being the youngest in the family (speaking from personal experience), isn’t always the easiest. You’re left out sometimes when your oldest sibling(s) go off with friends or when they bring friends home, you have to sit and watch them play Nintendo because there’s no controllers left (I’m having flashbacks here!). So I can relate to Isaac, even at his young age, in many ways. I can understand why he takes advantage of certain situations when they arise. His skillful ability to sweep in and grab a toy as soon as his twin sister Ava, turns her back is quite funny to watch, although she doesn’t find it very funny. Or like when his two oldest siblings drop something like a cookie or a crayon, *zoom* across the floor he goes, searching frantically for his fallen bounty.
It is comical to watch Isaac race towards something that has caught his attention, “I hear something. What’s daddy saying? T-r-e-a-t? Move it chubby legs, move it!” ***shuffle shuffle shuffle*** Then something takes his attention, “Ball? Where’d that come from?Ball, ball, ball! Come here you bally!” and off he goes into the distance chasing his new found love. It’s like me trying to shop for one thing in a hobby shop. I’s impossible to stay focused. Maybe it’s a guy thing? Who knows.
Not only does Isaac have ninja like skills for swiping objects belonging to others, (kleptomania maybe?) his hearing is unmatched as well. As Gimli said in the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: “I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox.” Yup, that’s Isaac. He can hear a wrapper open from about sixty feet away. Like a leopard stalking it’s prey, the grunts and coos that come from his little vocal box are a tad unnerving as he races towards the wrappers originating location. Then if by chance, some other sibling arrives before him, he transforms into a seagull from Finding Nemo “Mine Mine Mine!”
His methods have changed of late however. Sometimes if he doesn’t get his treat after completing his audible calls, he proceeds to bang his forehead into the floor, repeatedly. I’m talking Mach 1 velocity into the laminate. After two or three good smacks he realizes that this method is too painful and stops. My theory: he is doing this because of the amount of teeth coming through his gums right now. I’m sure some of you parents out there can relate with me for your child’s mood swings because of teething. I am hoping that my theory is correct because honestly, I’m not prepared to deal with a chronic headbanging child, who slams their head into walls, flooring, furniture, etc whenever something doesn’t go their way. My imagination begins to take over:
We are at a hockey game, best seats in the house, right down by the glass. Our tickets cost my weeks salary, especially with six of us hogging up the bottom row by the home net. Halfway through the Second period, the away team scores a tiebreaker goal. While everyone around us boos, Isaac stands from his seat and begins smashing his head into the glass…over and over, showing his disapproval. The fans in our section of the stadium go deathly quiet, watching in horror as the eight year old continues to bludgeon himself and security is seen rushing towards our aisle….
Our entire family arrive to a friends birthday bash at their large country estate. Fine dining, exquisite cuisine and distinguished guests are all sat at tables lining a large dining room. After saying grace at the request of the host, I tuck in my chair, accidentally hitting the lip of the table, knocking over Isaac’s water glass. To my horror he proceeds to bang his face into his plate of roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, sending food flying in all directions, as onlookers gasp in shock at his antics.
After graduating top of his class in the Medicine Faculty at University, Isaac is asked by the Dean to give a speech about his hard work and dedication for seven long years of learning and education. Halfway through his speech that has everyone’s attention, Isaac miss-pronounces a word. At twenty five years old, he begins banging his head onto the podium, sending loud, echoing bangs throughout the auditorium as onlookers gaze on in utter confusion and surprise.
Wow. Sorry about that, sometimes my imagination runs wild with these things. 😛
There is one thing I do know for certain though. Isaac is one special little boy. He brings so much laughter to our family, it’s no wonder he lives up to his name meaning, “He laughs.” With his cute smile, quirky sounds and funny expressions he often keeps us in fits of laughter. You never know what he will do, be it strange walks across the living to spinning in circles for no apparent reason. I love watching him trying to help his sister out too. Ava seems to always end up stuck behind something or flailed out across a table(a small one in their play room) and Isaac comes to the rescue, sort of. I watched one day as she was sprawled out across the floor, “unable” to move, and Isaac reached down and grabbed her by the collar of her sleeper and lifted her head off the floor. However after realizing how heavy her head really was, he dropped her! Bang! He takes off to the playroom leaving his sister screaming on the floor. Oh that child of mine.
I love the differences between our four children. As this is the last part of the Four Kindred series, I’ve had plenty of time to think about our children’s unique personalities and how they are so different. Benaiah is truly a leader, Railene a protector, Ava acts like Mother Hen and Isaac being the Opportunist. I know the Lord has great things in store for my children, and I eagerly await to see those things come to pass for each one of them. I try to encourage my children daily about their gifts and I would encourage you do it as well with your children.
I remember my father and mother speaking into my life as I grew from a child, to a teenager, to a young adult and they continue even now that I’m a husband and father of four. Words like, “We are so proud of you” or “Great job son, you’re so talented,” or just a simple “I love you.” I cherish those words, I take joy from hearing their words of affirmation. You know why? We are ALL made to be loved. You may have not received that kind of love growing up, however you can make the choice to put an end to that saga and start a new one. A better one. Make sure your children know that kind of love too.
Ava)
Christian
The Eason Clan 