Medic Interrupted

My son’s hebrew name is ‘Shalom’ – שָׁלוֹם. I declared his name for the world to know at his bris, and had an opportunity to explain its meaning- Peace. Completeness. But more than a name, Shalom is a sentiment; an esoteric mindset that serves as a light to shine upon the path of principle, which leads to character. It is something that transcends race, religion, language, borders, and humanity itself.

I took my six year old son to hockey practice this morning at 715am. As excited as he was, I think  I was more elated just to watch him take the ice in his little Islander uniform with the rest of his team, the “Mini Mites”. I never have a problem getting Brandon up from his sleep to go to practice early Sunday mornings. And like clockwork, I get up at 6am to get ready to go with him. He is, after all, my son. But more than that, what he does on the ice inspires me. It moves me. And it carries me through my work week. Melodromadic? Definitely. Here is a scene from one of my favorite movies ‘Vision Quest’, that captures what I’m trying to say:

Just the day before, Brandon sunk a basket at his basketball game at the buzzer. He threw his hands up in celebration. He owned the world at that moment. And as his father, so did I. Achievement. Accomplishment. Triumph. Victory. These are the moments to live for and to celebrate. Melodramadic? Definitely. But its this melodrama that, like the name Shalom, transcends race, religion, color, wealth, status, and everything else.

I’m addicted to the drug, and I freely admit it. It’s part of why I ride the ambulance so much- to get that rush. The last call I went on was a “Delta Overdose” in front of Pathmark. Some drunk guy with nothing else better to do on a rainy, cold Sunday afternoon. I asked the bum in Spanish if he had any kids. “Yeah.  These are my kids right here,” as he held up to me his half-filled bottles of rum.  I tried to explain to him the concept of having too much of a good thing, in the midst of which he vomited right next to me. Lovely.

I wonder though, if its possible for me to get too much of my kids, and what would happen to me if I did. I think the difference is this: my  melodrama mush makes OTHERS vomit, not me. I havent barfed yet from it. I suppose I have a built up a high tolerance for it. I feel bad for those who haven’t.