Wesley likes stitches.

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Wesley has always been happy.  That is his “set-point.”  No matter where his mood might spike to temporarily, he’ll always reset back to “happy.”

Wesley likes noises.  As a baby-toddler-child-preadolescent he was all about noises, especially those of a flatulent nature.  The boys grew up watching the Henson movie, “Labrynth” (Staring David Bowie and a bunch of Muppetts.) One of the scenes takes place at the “Bog of Eternal Stench” where if one were to so much as dip one toe into it, one would stink forever.  The “Bog” would bubble with continuous farting noises of all varieties throughout the scene.  First of all, I thought Wesley was going to pass out from lack of oxygen because of his gut-busting laughter at that scene. Second, he could (and would) reproduce each one of the plethora of fart types, and finally, the term “stench” is a primary term in the Geil Family Lexicon.

Although Wesley was present for every meal, I did not see him for many years due to the fact he was never in his chair.  He was on the floor, under the table, lying across the chair on his belly, he was upside-down in the chair with only his feet visible.  In general Wesley was a “wallerer” in that he was like a pig rolling around in the mud.  If he would have gone to school, I know we would have gotten multiple calls.  What Amy found out was, just because Wesley was turning somersaults during reading, that didn’t mean he wasn’t comprehending, quite the opposite.

Wesley happens to be color-blind (which has always caused Amy and I to ask, “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused Wesley to be born color-blind, him or his us?”) So we’ve had to describe things to him by direction or size. Not, “Wesley, bring me the blue ball.” Instead, “Wesley, bring be the biggest ball” or “the ball next to the couch.”

Wesley and Jaron had a contest for a while called, “Who can get the most stitches.”  Wesley has had multiple stitches in his chin. He has broken his arm.  He has had his nose flattened by a baseball bat (that I popped back into place.) Once he split his lower-lip and I had to rush him to Des Moines Children’s hospital in the middle of the night and wait for a plastic surgeon.  That was a fun night.

In Newton the boys (being home schooled) played a lot of chess.  Eric had the most experience and would beat the others when playing.  Wesley was 7 or 8 at the time and he came down stairs and put the chessboard and the “Lord of the Rings” chess pieces at my feet.  I was reading and only half paying attention to what was going on.  I thought he was just playing with the pieces (they did look awesome.)  Wesley tugged on my leg and said, “Daddy. That’s check.”  “MMMMmmmm,” I replied half-heartedly.   A little later he pulled on my leg again, “Daddy.  That’s check too.” Finally I looked down at what he was doing.  He had set up both sets of men and was constructing ways to put his opponent in check.  He was studying.  A few days later I hear from Eric holler from the other room, “Hey!”  I stuck my head in to see what was happening.  There was Eric and Wesley, playing chess on the floor.  Eric was in check. Wesley had a sly grin on his face.

He still flashes that same grin.

chris

Click here to watch Wesley going crazy...
http://youtu.be/lPWfqZ2ALLg

Click here to learn more about the movie "Labrynth":
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/