- 7/13/2008 8:57:41 PMQuestions"Can I have some questions?", Michael would ask. It's his funny way of wording, "can I ask you a question?" but it is classic Michael. He is a boy who would like nothing more than a continuous open dialog with anyone and everyone. When he says this, I often respond, "sure. Take as many as you like."
Often times, he is so demanding for attention that he will butt himself into a conversation between other people and begin to ask or tell about something that is totally unrelated to the active conversation. The other day, Peggy and I were talking about how we were going to remodel the bathroom. It was a lengthy discussion because there are many details to work out. She and I do all of the work together and Michael is not involved in either the planning or execution, even though he desperately would like to be. I think it is mostly because there are power tools involved. As Peggy and I are talking to each other, Michael butts himself in, "Mom - do you remember when I fell off my bike?"
The questions and statements vary but the demand is always the same - "Stop doing what your doing and give me your attention." I'm not sure at this point that I can say this is typical orphan behavior because I've seen this in non-orphans before as well. Aboard the train when leaving Cheboksary, Michael would look out the window, point to something and say, "Look at me! Look at me!". At the time, I thought he was just confusing his words and perhaps he meant, "Look at what I'm pointing to". Maybe at the time that IS what he meant, but the phrase "Look At Me" has become symbolic of Michael's typical behavior. He is a boy who was not starved of attention, but rather could not get enough of it.
Just yesterday we told him to go outside and play or ride his bike - anything. Just go and be occupied! Play with the other kids - whatever. Just don't hover over mom and dad waiting for them to pat you on the head like a puppy or a kitten - that is more typical Michael behavior. He likes to follow mom and dad (especially mom) around the house and keep visual contact all of the time.
Michael went outside and stood in the yard for a momment, then he came back in. "I'm going to be riding my bike in the driveway, in case you have any questions", he said. I thought to myself, "Thanks for the update. I'll make a mental note of it". I pointed to the door and said, "Go Play!".
