My son called me yesterday just after his first water polo practice and I was so proud of him! Not because I want him to be some high school jock, but precisely because he's not. I've tried to encourage him to exercise, to moderate what he eats and to make healthier choices. I try to lead by example and hope that my passion for running and vegetables gets ingrained in his brain and sprouts new neurons that help associate running -> mom -> good.

Treading water for a long time is hard. Even more so for someone who isn't in physical shape. He just had his first practice but they have their first game this week. And he doesn't have to play if he doesn't feel comfortable, but he said he thought he'd give it a shot anyway.

He just started high school, too, so I was asking how he liked it. He says he's getting pushed around. Walking down the hall, someone'll just push him against the lockers. Being a girl, I didn't know this kind of torment in high school. I think there was some mild freshman hazing in band (yes, I was in my high school band), but it was nothing. Is that because you're the new kid? Yeah. So I guess it's happening to your friends, too? No, just me. Porsch (his older sister) thinks its because of the way I dress. Cause they're all gangsters.

Oh, it made my heart cringe! I was picturing him in my head in his clothes and wondering what about them might be offensive -- a futile exercise really because what do I know about what's in the minds of today's teenagers? Not to mention teenagers growing up in a different environment than I did. I didn't even know what was in their minds when I was one of them.

Are you going to join a gang? No, mom, why would I do that?

I'm proud of him because he's strong and makes do. Like I do. You learn what lessons you can, then move on. Not to say that nothing gets to you and that things don't end up festering in your heart, but there's a resilience that makes even the worst of things bearable enough to get through. Because if they weren't, you'd end up crazy or dead. High school isn't forever, but it always seems like it is.