NEVER SAY NEVER

While in the middle of a chat with my younger sister, my youngest child comes running in the house announcing with jublilee that our neighbors are selling their treadmill.....and of course, he wants it.

"Mom, I've got the money to buy it and I really want one!" After calmly reminding him that we don't have the space for a treadmill, although wishing we did, he left the house without a pout. Continuing our chat and at the same time wondering what he was up to next, he came flying through the front door once again, this time asking where my tape measure was. He quickly procured it and left as suddenly as he appeared only a minute ago.

hanging outside.

No sooner does my sister let out a few words, guess who enters the house with the same exuberating excitement he possessed a few minutes ago? If you guess, Matthew, you are correct. With a "please excuse me" interjection, but without permission for the interruption, Matthew blurts out that the treadmill is only twenty-five by forty inches (I actually don't remember the exact dimensions) AND folds up! Therefore we would have room for it. Once again, with a smile and giggle on my face and in my heart, I explain that having to fold and unfold a teadmill every time it is to be used wouldn't be convenient or feasi-

My sister and I both let out a chuckle at his boyish eleven year old enthusiasm for an item that most kids wouldn't ask for....let alone pay for. We both agree that Matthew is an unusually unique child with character bursting at the seams of his mismatched clothes. This son of mine, the one who reminds me frequently that he is a "Mama's boy" never ceases to amaze me or melt my heart. Not wanting to linger too long on the topic of my son (even though I could talk about any one of my six children all day long), I change the subject to the more mundane topic of the pleasant weather ble. Without complaining or uttering an objection Matthew exits the house once again.

Wondering what was going to whirl out of his mouth the next time, my sister and I continue our prosaic, but pleasant conversation. Needless to say, it is hard NOT talking about Matthew since he continued to pop in and out without much warning or ado! I guess he decided since his pleading for a treadmill wasn't going anywhere he would drop the subject. Still amazed at how gracefully he accepted my rejection of the treadmill, especially knowing how he usually doesn't