My son and I have started this new routine. We wake up before anyone else, I put on a pot of coffee, pour him some cereal, and we turn on the Today Show and local news.

We talk about shootings. We talk about the weather. We talk about world wars and celebrities in rehab. We talk about the Dow and the President. We talk about what on earth that news anchor is wearing. We just talk.

He’s seven-years old and he knows more about the ‘bad guys in black’ beating Egyptian protestors than most grown Americans.

Of course I worry he’s seeing ‘too’ much. That maybe I’m exposing him to the reality of the world via the news and turning his otherwise innocent brain cold and cynical. But I don’t think so. He’s fascinated. Much like I am when I watch. Yes, some of it can be scary…but it’s life. It’s the real world. It’s what he will be dealing with if he likes it or not.

There was a time I would change the channel if the news was on and the kids were around. But now that my son and I can talk about things, at an age appropriate level and with him truly understanding…it’s different.

I also realize that I am a news junky. And I really need to weigh what *I* find overboard and what the rest of the world might find overboard. But when I am sitting on the couch, coffee in hand, sun rising over the mountains out our front window… there is no ‘overboard’… just honest discussion between two people trying to understand the world.

I find myself saying ‘I don’t know’ a lot and I find myself saying things like ‘yes, some people really are that mean’ more than I care to. But I also find myself laughing, explaining why we would celebrate someone’s 108th birthday with a photo on the tv, and making sure I pass along news to his Dad that traffic will be bad due to an over turned tanker on his route. News I MUST pass along because my son is generally concerned about his father’s punctuality. Or just really excited he gets to inform him of something he learned.

Maybe it’s a bit more simple than all this though. Maybe I’m just over- the-moon to be spending time watching and talking about the news with my son. I have a son, and he just might love news as much as his journalist Mom. Maybe. Maybe he’s seven and this too shall pass.

Either way…I love mornings.

My son gave me a ring for Christmas. A beautiful, school-gift-shop bought, pink-stoned, heart-shaped ring. Being the nosey mother I am I poked and prodded him to find out why he chose this ring, and why a ring and not, say, a coffee mug or frame or any one of the other gifts they sell at these types of affairs.

The pink stone and heart were easily explained. This was the only ring with pink – and he knows I love pink. As for the heart, well he said, ‘Mom, I love you, geez.’

Makes perfect sense.

Now…why a ring?

This is where things got more complicated.

I wanted to give you something like Dad gives you that you never take off.
Because of my wedding rings, you mean?
I wanted to give you ones like Dad does, so you wear it…always.
There are lots of things I wear all the time honey.
Yes, but only the ones that you love the best you leave on. You never take off the diamonds. So I had to give you one just as good as Daddy’s.
Sweetie I would love to wear anything you give me all the time, rings or hats or anything!
But if you got a ring, from me a boy, you have to wear it forever.

I hugged him, tears in my eyes. In so many ways he wants to be his father, but this is a way that never really occurred to me.

Dad gets Mom forever. All the time. Dad doesn’t even get sent to a different bed to sleep.

Now here is maybe where you are questioning how ‘tough’ I’m making this child or what a ‘Mamma’s boy’ I’m turning him into … but understand this: his soul loves purely and without bias. He does the same for his sister. That same night, as I left his bed, he pulled his sissy close to hug and snuggle her at bedtime. He quietly told her ‘It’s ok Hala, you don’t have to be afraid of the dark…I’m here.’

And you know what, he was JUST as thoughtful as he gave his baby sister her gift. Something just as special, and just as well planned. He gave her a sushi pillow (stuffed, adorable) because she LOVES sushi and he wanted her to have something to snuggle in bed in case he wasn’t there.

He takes good care of the women he loves, just like his father.

So now I sit here fondling this ring he gave me in my fingers. I’ve asked him if it was ok I move it from my finger (I have really sensitive skin and this $3 ring is going to get a bit green) and onto a chain close to my heart (his Dad’s idea). He loved this thought and smiled broadly as his Nana and I worked to place it carefully on my best silver chain.

From time to time today he’s come over to the couch to show me a toy, ask me to help him read a word, or fix his shirt, etc.. and each time he too fondles the ring around my neck.

Yes.

It’s there.

Always.

And now I feel it’s my goal to make sure he knows that just like his father, his tokens of love will be with me forever.