Trares
My son is ready for his star turn.
Let me back up a little bit. For those who have read the Daily Journal over the past decade-and-a-half, you may recognize my byline. I’ve worked for the newspaper since 2008, overseeing our Accent section as the lifestyle reporter while also filling in writing news, features and, in a few cases, sports.
Working for the Daily Journal has given me the opportunity to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to local readers. I’ve taken sushi making classes, gone horseback riding through the hills around Morgantown and circled downtown Indianapolis in an open-air biplane.
When the Super Bowl came to Indianapolis in 2012, I spent a week on the ground in the city, putting readers at the center of free concerts, swanky parties and art-fueled improvement projects.
This job has provided no shortage of challenges and exciting opportunities. When I was presented with the chance to pen a weekly column for the paper, I was entirely on board.
But what to write about?
My free time involves a fairly diverse list of activities: running, taking in live music at local venues, reading Scandinavian murder mysteries, sampling the selections at the growing number of Indiana craft brewers.
Still, at the center of it all is my family: my wife, and my 6-year-old son, Anthony. Anything that I’d write about would gravitate around them. It seemed like I had an easy decision.
But if I was going to share exploits of an inquisitive, energetic and sometimes headstrong little boy with the greater world, I had to get his thoughts first.
I went to get his permission.
Sitting down with him in-between games of “Mario Kart,” I told him about what I was thinking. He knows that I write for the newspaper, and likes to hear about the different stories I put together. What would he think if I started doing some short stories that included him, I asked.
This is a child who has been raised on YouTube programs like “Ryan’s World,” seeing kids his own age get famous on social media. He’s even dabbled in making his own videos about things around the house — a day in the life of our cats, a tour of his room, the different plants in our backyard garden.
Anthony’s eyes went wide, a big smile lit up his face, and he vigorously nodded his head yes.
So it was settled. Each week, I will be filling this space with our exploits. Anyone who has been around a 6 year old knows there is no shortage of material to mine. You’ll get the irrational demands, the ridiculous games and dig-in-your-heels stubbornness. But you’ll also get those sweet and quiet moments, those small successes and the big milestones that makes raising a child so rewarding.
I’m excited for the chance. And Anthony is ready for his newfound fame.
