Today Is All About the Benjamin!

Happy 18th Birthday, Benjamin Sloan Strait!

Yes, now even my oldest boy is a MAN!

But have no fear!  Collectively, Doug & Greg & Benjamin & Me - we are still THE STRAIT BOYS!

You can take the 13-year-old off the driver's license ID, but you can't take him away from his comic books, movies, RPG games and carefully miscrafted puns!

18 years ago, Benjamin emerged, big (close to 9 pounds), but strangely reluctant to breathe.  He at first only did it when prodded.  He spent his first few days in Savannah at the Memorial neo-natal care unit.

But he soon was back with us.  And he's been pretty solid healthy.  A little asthma and a nut allergy, but otherwise very strong, with few down days.  He's missed remarkably little school, maybe a day or two every few years.

He's never been much of an athlete.  He played a season or two of teeball/baseball, and several of soccer.  He, unfortunately, inherited the Strait Gene of athletic success.  But never fear!  He has taken to martial arts and is doing moves that would hospitalize his father (if he was foolish enough to attempt them).

He is a cradle Episcopalian, a devoted attendee, and faithful believer.  When he was younger, he would also go to Blackshear Presbyterian for their Wednesday night activities.  He loves church summer camp at Honey Creek, having gone at least seven summers.

It has been one of the great joys of my life to be able to have performed community theatre with my son.  From Alice In Wonderland when he was just in early elementary, to last year's turn together in The Addams Family, I can't think of anything in theatre that I have enjoyed as much.  I hope he continues to have it as a hobby, and I look forward to attending his performances.

Another hobby that has been growing with him is Dungeons & Dragons.  He has become quite the dungeon master and has assembled a great group of friends that participate in his games.  That's another Strait gift - an outsized imagination!

Next year, he starts college.  He has already been accepted at Georgia Southern and Georgia College, with the University of Georgia still pending.

His major interest is psychology, blended with an interest in computer science and robotics.  This may change as he progresses, but I think it is an intriguing and imaginative place to start from. 

So, are Mama and Daddy ready for him to fly the coop and head off to college?

Doesn't matter.  It's going to happen, and we can't slow it down or stop it.  

He's a man now.