Benicio True

When I was in highschool, a friend showed me the film "Cinema Paradiso." While she fell in love with the swarthy cupid-mouthed man, I fell in love with the 5 year-old boy. The film depicts the life of this Italian cinephile. And while the kiss at the end stops your heart, it is the man as a little boy that totally steals it.

You can imagine the delight for me to have given birth to our own little version of Salvatore or "Toto," as he is called. It is hard to describe this kid, he is downright mischievous, crying and tantrum-ing in Italian with this raspy, empassioned voice. It is irresistibly cute. Our Benicio is this way. No one in our family plays so hard, lives so large, runs full-throttle at life. Benicio is completely switched-on, to use my brother's phrase. He is at the center of the chase game. He leaps from the top-step. He has a collection of photos of himself suspended in air from either jumping, running or falling. When greeted by his reading buddy or older kids at school, he nods with his chin and eyebrows raised, silently. No wave or verbal greeting necessary. He's six!

Before I go on at the risk of sounding like I dream of him becoming the alpha male guy, I have to say that all this is in direct contrast to his tenderness. Benicio has my and my dad's head-shape. Also, he has our precise hand-writing. He has Geoff's Dad's fascination with flight and speed. But where he gets his profound kindness is a mystery. Common Benicio scenes: arms wrapped around Clara's waist, hoisting her up to the sink; dutifully on his belly rescuing action figures and legos from under beds and sofas; washing an apple for Calliope; splitting the last cheese stick with his brother; playing chase at church but pausing to pick up Baby Andre's pacifier.

His prayer request tonight was that he loose a tooth. He regularly asks, "Mom, tell me a story about your life that has a bad part." He is fully participating at every moment, he negotiates with us til the moment he falls asleep. The first thing in the morning, he is sneaking his Superman shirt under his oxford. But I know at breakfast, he will pour his sisters' milk and will squeeze my neck when I see him off.