Just Because I Need This In a Space Where I Can Retreat It: I Am a Son of a Butch Who Learned Immensely from Willy (It's a British Accent for the Win)

My education was like most and it began in 5th grade. We got our books to read, the boys were separated from the girls, and if we had any questions we were to ask our parents. I trusted my mother. So I asked her scientifically, "It all makes sense. It's logical. And I understand the biological functionings. My only quandary is, how will you know when you're done?" 

"Um, go see your father." 

It was the shortest 15-second conversation of my life. He tapped my leg a couple of times and said, "You'll know. You'll know," and ran out of the bedroom.

Years later, way after my first memory of screaming, "I know! I know!," my lil' sister would find Where Willy Went at an Ollie's in upstate New York. She knew (a) my love for children's books (all books, actually), (b) the memory of our own sex education at Cicero Elementary and Amalfi Drive (sort of like The Wonder Years where the coach draws a cow's head), and (c) one of the fastest racing sperms giving Willy a run for his money, is Butch. Of course, that's the kicker, because it is my father's name.

Last night, a student of yesteryear wrote me to say she and her husband were talking about similar topics with their sons, and shared how the boys were disgusted by the process swearing they would never, ever do that. Of course, I had to run to my home library to see if I could find my copy of Where Willy Went. I actually looked it up on Google, because I wanted her to order it, and saw there was a video of it on YouTube. It's also read with a British accent, making it that much more brilliant. 

In their junior year of high school, after biology class, I often told my students after they revisited sex education in a reproductive unit, that each and every one of them needs to think of themselves as a miracle and a champion. "After all, I'd claim....you were the best of the batch. The one that made it. The fastest swimmer in the punch. It's pretty remarkable, as are each of you." 

Not sure if that ever resonated, but I can say that good ol' Tiana, my librarian friend from way back when,  always remembers such Brown School conversation and keeps me up-to-date with parenting on her own. 

Ah, a day when life becomes more beautiful. Share away. We only live once. 

Swim, Willy. Swim.