...welcome to Philip's Fan Club!

HIS BIGGEST FAN...HIS DAD

A few entries ago I made the statement that Philip's Nanny and Poppa were, by far, his biggest fans. I lied! His dad is, without a doubt, by far, no arguing...no stinkin' discussion...his biggest fan! (take that Nanny!).

I held him as an infant, just minutes after his birth, and stared into that cute little face with the greatest of pride! I held him as a young toddler when my brother and I rushed him to the hospital after he'd fallen and cut his head open...I held him as a young lad crumpled in pain after he'd taken a shot in the 'cucarachas' while goal-tending in the ever contentious street hockey game he loved so much (it was probably Pat who nailed him, which made it okay!)...I held him as a frustrated young teenager, trying to convince him that biting his own hand every time he got angry or upset wasn't the answer (at least he was smart enough to always bite his left hand - wouldn't do to mar that all important 'pencil-holding', binder-gripping', right hand, would it now?)...

...I held my side to contain the laughter pangs when he came around the side of the house after we'd asked him to roll up the garden hose...

...and today I still hold him - only now it's usually the 'scissor-hold' when I wrap my legs around his head as we wrestle each other to the floor, destroying the house in the process...then 'cool down' and laugh while we watch mom 'heat up' and clean up! We just never stop holding our kids, do we?

Diane took care of the 'easy' stuff...the doctors...the psychologists...his developmental issues...his schooling...his toileting...his meds. I, on the other hand, took care of the 'tough' stuff!

...like entertaining him...

...playing catch with him...

...playing cards with him...

...shoveling snow with him...

...building sheds with him...

...cutting his hair...

...teaching him to use the computer (only to find out he knew more than me!)...

...and laughing at Gertrude when she told us us to get in the barn and clean out the 'poo-poo' stalls (a minute after this picture was taken we were no longer laughing...pee-ooh!).

Philip and I attended more Blue Jays games, Ti-Cat games, Monster truck events, Wrestling fiascoes, Circuses , and Carnivals, than one cares to remember. It was all part of the 'master plan' (Diane being the 'master')... initiate...participate...stimulate...educate! (we had implemented the 'stimulus plan' long before this current economic crisis!). Julie and Johnny were usually somewhere in the picture, but it was Philip who was always the focal point of all the activities. Not because he was special...wait a minute...that's exactly why...because he was 'special'!

He had no concept of danger...he just knew we - parents and siblings - were 'in the area'...'watching his back'...keeping him safe! One time we had taken Philip and Julie to this huge outdoor festival - thousands of people milling about - and Philip wandered off. For 2 hours we searched the park (Diane was pregnant with Johnny, which only added to the stress)...had every security person involved...announcements blaring over the loud-speakers...it was a frantic, parental nightmare! Finally I said to Diane..."think...think...think...what would interest him the most?" She mentioned his love of water, so we asked the security officer with us if there were any ponds or pools in the park? She pointed off into the distance and said there was a wading pool "way over there". I ran (Diane waddled) and as we approached the pool, sure enough, there sat Philip, feet dangling in the water (his shoes and socks neatly placed at the foot of a nearby tree)...chatting up a storm with some other 6 year olds. I ran over, picked him up, and gently (yeah right!) asked him why he'd wandered off on his own? His reply? "But I've been 'wading' here for hours...where have you guys been?"(grrr)

Twenty four years later and we still have trouble letting him out of our sight!

A few years ago Diane, Philip and I flew to Canton, Ohio (through Chicago) for we'd been offered an opportunity to work with an organization in that city that provided care and shelter for 'troubled' teens. It was an exciting week for Philip...from St. John's to Toronto...to Chicago...to Canton...back to Chicago...to Toronto...to Montreal...to St. John's...and finally home to Ochre Pit Cove! Ask him today what stands out the most about that whirlwind trip? Why, getting finger-printed by the FBI (part of this organization's process) of course! He'd seen it done many times in the movies...but now he, Philip James Thiessen, was one of 'America's Most Wanted'! How cool was that!

Here we are at O'Hare waiting for our connecting flight. His pencil and notebook never left his hand! Airport security checked them very carefully...fortunately the officer was a Detroit fan (go figure) ...Philip easily cleared security with a hearty 'high-five'!

I turned 60 this year...Philip turned 30. Well, you'd think Dallas had won the Superbowl! The excitement this colossal event generated was too much for him. Five years ago we were 30 years apart...five years from now we'll still be 30 years apart. But THIS year! Why...for the Scorekeeper...it's monumental! It's the World Series...the Stanley Cup...Wrestlemania...all wrapped up in one! I, his dad, am 'twice' his age! And he, Philip, is 'half' my age! He recorded it! (duh!). He's given it more 'air-time' than Sarah Palin's book tour! (I suppose I should feel honoured...okay...old, and honoured!).

I have 3 kids. I love them all dearly! There's no competition...no rivalries...no issues. Philip thinks of them as living next door (mom and I wish!). I'm with him 24/7. I wake...I feed him...I shave him...I shower him. I mess with him...play with him...fight with him! I learn from him...teach him...cry with him...laugh with him. I love him to pieces!

I'm his biggest supporter...I'm his biggest critic...I'm his biggest fan!

I wouldn't have him any other way!