OUR REMARKABLE SON

If there's one thing I have learned throughout this house redoing stuff it is how amazing our son Jim IV is. I just didn't know how talented he is in the role of handyman. And he'll tackle anything!! It's been a real pleasure watching him work and figure things out.

For instance, I bought two sets of wireless headphones for the TV, got instructions from the salespeople at Electronic Express, and came home prepared to get them to work. I couldn't even get one set to work. So I asked the genius to help, and he couldn't do it either. Then I called on Jay, our 11 year old genius grandson, and he almost did it, but not quite. Then Jim IV came on the scene.

He was able to get one set working right away but had to think about the double set. Eventually, he got both working, rigged up a place on the back of the TV to hang the headphones, and taped all the wires so that they don't show from the front.

And what a fast worker he is!! He can get more done in an an hour than I can imagine mainly because he has all the right tools. I've never seen such an array. When he's not sure about how to do something, he reads up on it thoroughly and then dives right in. And the finished product is great!!!

I had no idea he was so clever. I knew he was intelligent like the genius but had no clue he could do this sort of work. Knowing he didn't learn this from his father, who hates doing any kind of handyman jobs, I asked him where he gained this knowledge. He said he taught himself over the years.

Since we've lived in the same town for most of his life minus his college years, I had to ask myself why I didn't know this about him! I think the answer is that he is modest about himself and just never thought to show off his work. I have found out that he did and does numerous odd jobs around his house and I just assumed they had hired someone to do it. WRONG!! He's an expert and I'm convinced he could make a living doing it if he so desired.

But he doesn't; his first love is tennis and that's what he will be doing from now on.

But I'm truly grateful to know whom to call on when I need help!!!