LARRY KENNETH MITCHELL JR.

 J.R. aka “Bird”

   My first grandchild!  How thrilled I was, and along with his parents, anxiously awaited his arrival.  He was due mid April, but didn’t make his appearance until May 2^nd.   I have my own theory as to why this child was so late.  My mom had just passed away on April 19^th and I just knew that she was up in heaven playing with the baby!  

   What an adorable baby he was!  And that beautiful red hair was breathtaking.  Of course Aunt Maxine had gorgeous red hair, and my dad had a lot of red in his hair… but I don’t think we can credit the Mitchell’s with this accomplishment, as this child was the spitting image of his mama including her beautiful red hair.

  When JR was just a little fella, (bout 5 I think), he used to fabricate a bit to his parents.  They were very set on curbing this immediately.    Well, it seems JR’s friend lived on the other side of a large playground and whenever they wanted to get together, the moms would phone and watched as the boy walked to his friends house.  This particular afternoon JR went to visit his friend without permission.  Amie sent Larry to fetch the boy home.  As father and son were walking home, Larry asked JR if he’s gotten his mothers permission to visit his friend.  Oh YES he assured his father.  So Larry told him that he must tell the truth or he would have to spank him and to think really hard about having gotten his mom’s okay.   Again he told his Dad. “yes, mom said I could go.”  They walked along in silence for awhile and then JR piped up, “gosh Dad, I hope mom didn’t forget!”  This kid is too cute!

   When JR was 9, we went to visit them in San Francisco.  I would get exhausted just watching this child.  An unbelievable amount of energy exuded from him and he was always on the go.   It’s like he had 2 speeds…180 miles an hour, or dead asleep.  There really wasn’t much in between.  My first afternoon there, this child came roaring up on his bike, jumped off while it was still moving, leapt to the fence, ran along that, jumped onto the garage roof, ran along that, and then jumped to the ground.  I almost had a heart attack! 

   JR is very gifted physically.   He is extremely agile and has uncanny timing.  He has acceled at every sport he has tried.  When he played with Little League, he was the pitcher who led his team to the finals and went on to play in the all-star game.  He started swimming a few years ago and again went on to be quite the star.  He plays a pretty mean game of basketball and back when he was skateboarding, he accomplished quite a few tricks.  He is really into biking now and has quite a repertoire of clever tricks there as well.  Just recently he took up long distance running and is working on breaking his 6-minute mile.  He’ll do that really soon as he only needs to shave off 3 seconds.  We’re talking all around athlete here.

   My grandson is an extremely hard worker.  Last summer, while he was staying here, he dug up 4 large tree stumps and hauled them off all by himself.  I still don’t know how he did it.  If he sees work to be done, he just dives in and does it.  My dear friend, Bet, needed some help moving furniture and putting things in and out of her attic.  Of course, JR was there to help.  She tried very hard to pay him for his efforts to which our JR replied, “ you’re my nana’s friend and in our family we never take money for helping a friend”.  We were both very impressed by his adult attitude and his wonderful integrity.

  JR is a kick!  He has a quick wit, a funny mind, and a terrific sense of humor.  Kind of a chip off the ole block.  We all know how funny his dad can be.  He is also very caring and giving.  JR has his own bike shop in his garage and I tend to believe there is not a bike he can’t fix.  All the children in the neighborhood come to him to fix their bikes.  He spends hours and hours helping these children and would not dream of charging for it.

  This young man is the greatest brother and Billy adores him.  He plays with him frequently and sometimes they play special games made up between the two of them.  He teases him, wrestles with him, tickles him, and protects him.  He is there to lend the helping hand and give the brotherly pat on the back.  Always.

   In 2000, I got JR for a month and boy did we have fun.  He is a joy to have around and was always helping out.  Every morning that boy had made his bed and showered before I ever saw him.  And remember, we’re talking about a 16 year old!  JR was and is very interested in and devoted to the family.  He was always asking me questions about different family members.  He inspired me to write about our family.  In 2001, I had JR for 2 months so we took a vacation and toured Washington State researching our roots.  What a great time we had!  This guy was adored by all!  We met cousins in Waterville near the original homestead.  We saw relatives that I hadn’t seen in years and he was meeting for the first time.  He even played poker with uncle Harry and held his own (actually he won).  Young or old, everyone was enchanted by this wonderful young man.  He has a way about him that makes us all feel so special.  My grandson, the superstar!  I am a very lucky Nana.