My Goose

Goose turned 29 today. I know you hear it all the time, however, I REALLY can't believe my baby is growing up. And doing it so well.

April 28, 1987. That day changed my life and I've never looked back.

Goose has a real name. It's Kadell Mark Deason. Yep. Kadell. While half-heartedly browsing through name-your-baby books, I ran across the name Cadell. I HATED IT. I couldn't believe that name made "the list" and I vocalized to anyone who would listen how much I hated that name. Problem is, I couldn't get it off my mind. I substituted a K for the C. I loved it. And that became his name.

Until...

Kadell was young when Mark flung him in the air while asking "How's my little goosebump?" And the name Goose came to be. On the first day of school, his desk was found because "Goose" was displayed loud and clear. He learned to write Goose long before Kadell was memorized. Friends, classmates, co-workers and family all know him as Goose.

I have been thinking about this blog for over a month now. I have combed through stories and thoughts and memories to share, yet, words elude me. Maybe I'm just tired. Maybe the stories are too long to write. Maybe, just maybe, as I think of words to describe my son, they seem SO small, so inadequate, so trivial in the world that Goose has created.

My boy works harder than anyone I know. He loves immensely. His laugh is contagious. He's honorable and gracious and kind and generous in spirit and action. He is sentimental, loyal and is consistently and fearlessly compelled to do what is right. Don't mistake his kindness for weakness. He might cry while doing it, but he will knock you upside the head if needed.

When Daulton and Goose got married, I wrote Daul a letter symbolically giving "one of my five treasures" over to her. It was all a lie. Goose is MINE. I don't want to share his spirit or his strength with anyone. Yet, I puff with pride as I hear stories of how great my kid is. And he is, you know? He is.

And I'm proud.

Goose rocked 28 and year 29 holds limitless boundaries for this guy. Up is the only direction he can see and that's right where he goes.

Yes, he is kind and wholesomely good. But most of all? He loves his mom. And there is nothing finer.