Jesse was born in 1995. He’s what I call my “learning curve” child — which means that I mucked my way through parenting with him. I did things like forget to register him for kindergarten — what do you mean? He’s turning five already? I also didn’t realize he had to know how to count by fives and tens and know his address when I had him tested for the local catholic school. It’s a miracle to me that despite my inapptitude, he turned out to be a really nice kid —  perceptive, sensitive, and extremely artistic. Because of these qualities our relationship is the most adult-like relationship I’ve ever had.