Mop and Drake

Mop and Drake
Originally uploaded by ex posto facto.

Here we are at his first birthday party...

worries

My grandson's parents are each 22 years old. They're legal, but so young. I wasn't a parent until much later (29) and I still wasn't ready (though I thought I was!). These two were surprised by the pregnancy, but were madly in love, infatuated and full of hubris. They married in a unique and wonderful ceremony outside at sunset, wearing black, surrounded by family and loving friends. They wrote their own vows, which they meant at the time. Alcohol, weed and an assortment of mind altering substances flow through them, through their relationship. Without considering much about consequences, they have broken those vows willy nilly and then sworn to keep them again. Rings come off, go back on, are flung at the offending spouse, go back on...so far they are still on. Little Drake hears the yelling, crying, screaming...what is he thinking? They believe he is less than they are because he requires so much care, but he isn't. He is taking it all in and this grandma (who he named Mop) is worried. I've been able to express some concern directly and believe I have been heard, but only because I was in the middle of a wildly dramatic and painful scene--as was Drake. But that was over a week ago, so it fades and the truth of it is forgotten, altered, argued.

drake in Nov 2005

drake in Nov 2005
Originally uploaded by ex posto facto.

Is this not a precious kissable little dude?

He's turned one year old, but I'm having trouble with the photos (wait til you see). He's so grown up! He walks, he talks (only a few words), he knows how to turn lights on and off--of course he can't reach the switch, so he needs help with that part--but he KNOWS.