1000 names

There is a native american saying that is " a loved child has many names " so this one is for you monster muffin!
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Perhaps I am feeling sentimental today (gee, how soooo like every other day, right?!? haha) but I was reminiscing about a recent text exchange with my son - who I usually refrain from writing about. But today, he will just have to forgive me...not that I am going to tell him of course :)

It went something like this:
me - "hi angel fish, how was your day?"
him - "good - how was yours? and what did we say about the names mum?"

(side note here, that every since he was known about I have called him a myriad of nicknames; angel fish, monster fish, sunshine, honey bear, monster muffin, sunny bunny, lamb, sweetie, fluffy-snuggle, - you get the idea... I seldom if never use his given name, unless he is in trouble, which is also seldom to never. He was fine with this, up until a little over a year ago and I was given the 'cease and desist' on the nicknames, which naturally I refuse to do :) ... what is the point of being a parent if you can not have these small victories!!)

me - "glad your day was good pooka muffin, mine was fine still at work. and you said not in public, this is text so :P"
him - "mum! really!! no more nick names"
me - "one day you won't mind so much monster bear angel fish honeybear :D, b/c u know it means i love you, besides im ur mum"
him - "mum!!! REALLY??!! i dont have to answer you!!"
me - "u wouldn't do that honey pot - secretly you love it!"
him - "do not! and i am going to delete you if you do that again"
me - "hahaha!! no you wouldn't, besides it is such fun to tease you with it - you made my day :) qt"
him - "fine, glad to have made you smile, now STOP IT! :) "

These are fairly typical conversations between he and I, and they brighten my day every time. So along these lines of communication or the growing lack thereof due to the onset of his teenage years, I got to thinking about what are some of the key things that I would tell my son (if he would listen).

1. Always keep a bottle of champagne in your refrigerator, because there is always something to celebrate.

2. Big stuff usually becomes little stuff with some time and distance.

3. Leave revenge up to God, he is bigger and better at it.

4. Be bold, be brave, and be fearless - if you risk nothing, then that is exactly what you will get.

5. There is ALWAYS time for a hug and a kiss before bed.

6. Tell the people you love and care for what they mean to you, life is short and you don't always get to do it later.

7. Chicken soup really does help a cold.

8. No matter how old you get, you will absolutely always be my angel fish...hehe...couldn't resist

9. Be happy and positive, because if things are or are not going well now, one thing is for certain, they will change.

10. Smile...if you are sad - it will make you feel better, if you are happy - it will show, if you are mad - it will confuse your enemies. :)

You know those aren't bad things for me to remember too - hahaha.
Isn't it funny that he teaches me more than I could ever teach him!! Thank you sweet honey bug :)