I think I know what it’s like to be famous. Or at least to be related to a famous person. While we were away this past week, I cannot tell you how many people approached Leo. At the airport. In the French Quarter. At restaurants. Literally every where we went, people would just come up to us. To him.
They would ask “And what’s your name?”
“And how old are you?”
(It doesn’t hurt that he can now, adorably, hold up the appropriate number of fingers in response to that question—it seems to make everyone melt). And it also doesn’t hurt that Leo is ridiculously friendly, right back at everyone who shows even the slightest interest in him (and even to those who don't). He wants to hug everyone (I know, I know, not supposed to really allow this). And it’s “hi” to all, without question.
Seeing Leo so open to the world, so innocent and pure (at least to total strangers-bedtime is another story) I think about that annoying song from “The Sound of Music”—“How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?”
How do you teach someone to be unfriendly? To be suspicious? Or at the very least, more reserved, when so many people want to meet you? I know we have to be protective of Leo, to shield him, but how do you quell that openness? And must we? Completely? And I wonder what it is about him that draws people. Is is the Down syndrome? Do the people who feel the need to make contact with him have some connection to DS? Or are they just curious? Honestly I don't get it. It's not like he's such an anomaly. A young woman at the hotel pool rushed over to Leo and me and said “I have a nephew just like you!” I wondered, with DS? The conversation didn’t get much past “How old are you?” Leo: “Four!” So I never found out. But I am not exaggerating when I say people are not able to keep their hands off of him.
We are walking the line now, trying to preserve Leo’s sweet personality, with a healthy dose of respect. We try to get him to give strangers “five” or to shake hands, but too often Leo moves too quickly and before we know it he has gone in for The Hug. And then there is the hand kissing. He is a sucker for a pretty girl (truly!). They almost always get a peck on the hand.
Too bad People magazine doesn’t want to publish photos of Leo on its cover. That would really help with my student loans.
1 comment:
I am totally with you on this one!! Ella is the same way, everyone is drawn to her. Unfortunately with that comes some really stupid comments, but whatever.
With a family full of police officers we have always been an overprotective and suspicious of the general population bunch. So, on the one hand I hear stories of how some people with Down syndrome can not tell the difference between good touch bad touch, and so I want to teach her from a very early age. Then on the other hand, Ella brings so much joy to people, no one can interact with her without smiling. And really doesn't the world need to smile more??? I don't know what to do! BUT, I definetly think Leo should be on the cover of People, that would make for some good reading!!!!
Post a Comment