troiboizkid

[troiboizkid]

Charlie at 2 1/ years. Charlie and his Grandma. One of my favorite photo’s Charlie sent me from NY. He is just like his Momma.

[troiboizkid]

#AlittleBlogonCharlie Blog #9

Well we have been home in San Antonio since a few minutes after Wednesday wee morning hour.

It has been an amazing journey. Seems like yesterday that a photo was taken of Charlie and me in front of our first house. It was going to be Charlie's First day of Day care school.

He had a private sitter prior to this but I believed it was good to expose him to other children to learn to interact with others his age.

He was 2 1/2 years old in this photo of him and I sitting by our flower bed.

Every time I stare at this photo I see my fathers soul in Charlie's face. I named him after my Father whom I told you before, I adored.

Charlie has been such an old soul. Not long after this photo is when Charlie began to speak in full articulate sentences. It was then he started this ritual with me on the way to day care school. Asking me million dollar questions. Mom " if we were on a rocket and left the earth how long would it take us to get to the moon? How fast would we have to go?" I would say I'm not sure Charlie but I will look it up. Internet was not that popular with me back then, so I would read books and encyclopedia's to try and find an answer.

Then one day he said "Mom how come the birds can sit on a power line but if we touch it we will get electrocuted?" I gave him a quizzical look. Then before I could answer, he said " I know you HAVE to look it up".

So, when Grandma would get home from work she would get her share of questions too. lol

Charlie began watching CNN at the age of 3. To this day If you walk in my house or his apt where ever Charlie may be, you will find the TV on CNN. As little as he was he could tell you what was on the news. He even replicated things he saw like once when he was 4 he made a new tomato picker they made in California to pick tomatoes without bruising them. He made it after he saw the news report, using cups, tape, and toothpicks. There were days where I would walk into the living room and he had every book in the house opened stacked in tower shapes...connected to book bridges and strings covering the whole living room. So much for finding a seat.

So, I learned to recognize my child’s strengths at an early age. I always encouraged him to expand on this and then continued to encourage him to learn more and more everyday.

Riding home on our 1888 mile trip from New York was far more interesting riding with Charlie than when I drove there by myself. We talked about policies and procedures, religions, Protests. Than like the walking encyclopedia he had always been he gave me the history on events around the world and what brought those countries to those view points today.

As I sat there I had déjà vu, I found myself relieving his childhood. Though the roles have changed. I sit in the passenger seat asking him question after question. He sits there driving me, while opening my eyes to things I never knew.

The only difference was he never had to say

"I don't know, but I will look it up".

Typical, Charlie...this kid can hold a serious conversation at times that seems to be over your head but if he realizes you do not get it, he will give you more information so you will.

I love this kid so much. Charlie is so blessed to also have his Grandmothers love. We are his biggest fans. He is also blessed to have his aunts, Uncles, and family friends who are like his aunts and uncles too.

I just cannot believe how fast time has gone by. If I tell you one thing to do it will be hold on tight and soak up every moment of your child's life. You will never get those moments back.

Whatever you do Don't blink...

This ends my little Blogs.... For now. Thanks for hanging in there with us

Peace and Love ️Charlie’s Mom

[troiboizkid]

Yankee stadium *** leaving New York** Charlie’s Apt.**packed***us in Brooklyn visiting friends and Family.

[troiboizkid]

#alilblogonCharlie. #8

So, last night we got home after emptying out Charlie's storage. 4 years and lots of stuff. Packed it all up and headed back to Brooklyn.

When we got to the apt the kids readied themselves to go out one last time. I stayed in and washed clothes for the trip.

I wanted to go to sleep early but Charlie began texting info on the flooding in Texas then I began to watch news channels. I ended up staying awake till almost 4 am. I knew this would be a challenge for us driving in bad weather and floods. Then of course like back home I couldn’t sleep until Charlie made it home with the girls. Those Mom worries never go away.

The next day We packed the car from 9 am to 230. Charlie would have to live on the 3 rd floor!!!

He kept stressing that everything would not fit. I told him it would and that I would figure it out. So, one full size mattress , mini fridge , large espresso/ coffee machine, a 32 inch Flatscreen, 2 xboxes, nutribullet , dishes, lamps artwork , large paintings, about 100 books bedding ,clothing, winter coats,lots of shoes , glassware, tons of misc college stuff, plus 3 boxes of his friends stuff and my stuff. I was able to direct to have the the SUV stuffed to the brim. Whew!!!

Air Force Air Cargo Skills Came in handy.

Charlie stopped stressing when he realized it fit 😊

The goodbyes to the girls where the hardest. They were his ride or dies.

Later, I snapped one last photo of Charlie in front of his apartment then we drove off cutting through Staten Island and blowing through New Jersey. We took a slight detour in Pennsylvania to drop off the three boxes to Charlie's old roommate Joe. He got to see Andrew too. We stayed and chatted for a bit.

So many goodbyes. It reminded me when I was young and parted with my military friends. Some it took many years till I saw them again. Some I never did see again. I just got used to it.

I know Charlie is so happy to have graduated and take a break from his studies... But I understand he was not ready to completely let go yet. I already have a ticket for him to go back and visit. The girls ( his roomies) were ecstatic to hear that.

So, tonight we never made it out on Pennsylvania but oh so close. I called it a night at Chambersburg.

I am literally exhausted from lack of sleep and moving. Keep us in Prayer that we complete our journey safely.

Glad I have my baby boy back for a while. Peace. Night.

[troiboizkid]

The kids. Charlie’s apartment view in Brooklyn and my Proudest moment.

[troiboizkid]

#AlittleblogonCharlie Blog #7

Well Charlie is all graduated. We decided to hit Chinatown, of the 4 years I have been coming here things have changed.

Not all Chinese own the stores anymore. There are lots of people from India. The prices are higher, and they do not negotiate as much as the Chinese Culture. So I walked until I found some of my original stores.

Poor Charlie was so tired from all the past days and parties.

That Friday we also made it to a reception for our Family in Queens at a penthouse. A beautiful view.

We then ate a late dinner with Charlie's Angels... Ah hemmm

( his beautiful roommates Emily and Madison) somewhere in Brooklyn.

I loved watching them walk all in stride with flair and fashion. Emily graduated with Charles and works at a high end store called Rag and Mo. Madison works at a store called Dover street Market with high end designers. She also goes to Paris as a buyer for the shop.

These kids have an amazing style. Not a style Texas would understand. I took Charlie to Dover street to get a shirt for graduation. Madison was pulling clothes having him try them on. Then later after his last Graduation Emily was telling Charles what to wear for the parties LoL. They definitely keep Charlie in style.

I shot a picture of them at night all long legged thin, their stride when they walked amazing. "To the Bat Cave" popped in my mind when I saw the picture. We are in Gotham City after all. 😉

Today we hit the NYU bookstore to buy gifts. We are gonna shop a little more then begin packing.

I guess I'm gonna miss this place... Maybe Charlie will do his Masters here

[troiboizkid]

#alittleshortblogoncharlie Blog #6

So, today was Charlie's Big Day. The Commencement at Yankee Stadium was outstanding. They went all out. The president of NYU had all the kids in NYU baseball caps. They had bands dancers and really great entertainment. It was so very cold. I had to buy an extra jacket while at the stadium. I never ever really saw Charlie because over 16000 kids were graduating from each individualized School. Somehow I found him after it was all said and done. It was an amazing sight.

Tomorrow he will graduate from Gallitan college of NYU at the Lincoln Center. I’m so very proud.

[troiboizkid]

Greece freshman year.

Commencement for all NYU at Yankee Stadium.

[troiboizkid]

Part of the #5 Blog is on hold until after Listen to your Mother goes on Stage in May 2020

Last paragraphs of Blog# 5

Charlie's Kudo's in 4 years at NYU were numerous. His first year he was on the Deans list and he and 15 other kids were taken on an 8 day tour to Greece. He saw amazing things. He was the Creative Director for Haze Magazine then the following year he became the Editor for the fashion section.

He interned at Gavin and Brown. Was a curator for the arts festival at NYU, and his art work was in shows. Charles found he had a talent for painting when he got here. He interned at Gavin Brown Museum a few years. He also took 18 hours of classes and worked part time at American apparel n a Deli as a hostess.

He learned to adapt and overcome the snow, freezing rains and bitter cold. Walking many miles to the train and school grounds and work. He rode out a bigger Hurricane Sandy his Sophomore year. He was homeless for a week his apartment closed due to flooding and no water or electricity. He stayed with some friends in a dorm with no electricity and drink water and food NYU set up for them. I lost contact with him during the storm and did not hear from him in a day and a half. I stressed. When he did call he told me about losing his apartment the floods and walking miles in eerie darkness 26 blocks to find electricity. He did it on his own he survived ...his wings were opening wider. Charlie sadly lost an elderly Professor who was his teacher and counselor. He passed away during the storm.

He made some life long friends. Emily is his favorite sidekick. When we leave back to Texas I may cry for them when they part.

As I s it here in the Lincoln center waiting for the Gallatin Commencement to start. Charlie's Book at College is coming to a close. God Bless this beautiful man Charlie my baby Boy Forever.

Congratulations Charles I love you

[troiboizkid]

Big 4 #AlittleblogonCharlie Blog #4

Today was pure chaos yet excitement. Another four years "Snap" gone...just like that.

2011 was the end of a long era for Charlie starting pre school, elementary, Middle School and High School.

Four years completed at Business a Careers High School.

Charlie's freshman year he played Golf. I was excited just that he was in a sport. His first tournament I rented a golf cart and drove out on the course to watch him. Now, I didn't know a thing about golf except that maybe your doing good if you knock the ball in the hole. So, when Charlie dropped one in I clapped loud and yelled Yay Pop!!! Charlie cringed, then came over to me and asked me not to get too loud lol. So,I silently followed him around the course in my cart. Yay Pop... The look. Ha ha.

I attended the High School football games because Charles gave all the speeches before the game on the intercom. It was usually a fact on history with a story. He always sounded so professional. I loved listening to him speak.

He stayed busy he wason the debate team, in the NHS, and student Council. He also was in a program that was sponsored by the high school, where he taught kids in middle school who struggled to read. He himself had to take classes to learn how to teach them.

Charlie was also in the Big Brothers and Sisters Program in the last 2 years of High School After school he drove to an Elementary. He had a little boy

( I cannot remember his name) that he helped do homework for an hour then he would take him to the gym with the other kids.

Now, Charlie has always been quiet, structured, and never hyper. This little boy he mentored was full of Piss n Vinegar. Super Hyper. The thing was there were 2 of them. This boy had an identical twin. Then this twin had his own mentor, but he always ran off to be with Charlie. And his twin.

So eventually the program director asked Charles if he could mentor both at a time. He did. I laugh because Charlie came home and talked about how they wanted him to run around the gym, they never stopped , talking, and never stopped calling his name. This was a great challenge for Charles.

Then one day he sent me a video of them. I was laughing so hard. They were so cute. I simply texted back.

"Dad (MeaningCharlie) That is simply God Teaching You Patience"

"You may be all they have to look up to".

He volunteered again in his Senior year and yes, he got his favorite Twin Tornados.

Academically, Charlie cruised out in the top 5 % of his class. Having taken all AP Classes then testing out and getting all college credits.

Besides the academic he focused on his passions. He took an Independent study class on a career in Fashion. He got a great mentor. He did many Fashion shows in San Antonio. He learned lots. From setting up the runways, to the back dressing rooms to dressing the models, picking the models and finally picking the designers for the shows.

He met some very influential people along the way that were very respected in their field. So the last show focused on Stephani Montiel who had been nominated for a Grammy that year. Whichever designers dress won in the show, is the one she would wear to the Grammys.

In this last show the "Project Divina Runway Show" he did not have to work the actual show because he had picked the designers to be in the show.

He sat in the VIP section with the Taboo Girls and the Chanel Make up Artists. He also took a pic with Stephani Montiel....Cause typical Charles he was cool like that....

One more day of graduation. Today at Yankee Stadium 16000 kids graduated all school inside NYU. There where speeches, music and pompous. Tomorrow I see Charlie walk the stage for his Gallitan College at the Lincoln Center. This has been an amazing ride. May God continue to Bless My gift.🙏

[troiboizkid]

[troiboizkid]

AlittlBlogoncharlie. #3

So, when Charlie left Royalgate he went to Kazen MS, my Mom worked there and he rode with her to school everyday. Charlie was already well acclimated with the teachers and staff there well before he started school there This was due to every Summer since the age of 3 Charlie spent the last three weeks of my moms work with her at the school and the first three weeks before school opened again.

When he was 9 years old he attended Kids College at ‪Palo Alto‬ College. Some of his favorite classes were computer.  He learned word, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and more.  The instructor liked him so much he sat with him and took part the computer so Charlie could see how everything inside it worked.

So, at Kazen in the summers with Mom He was a busy bee.  All the teachers requested him.  He spent all summer making power points and movies and things they needed help with.

When he arrived in 6 th grade in Kazen he was well prepared. Those three years went by so fast.  Again he excelled In School and the awards kept. Coming. He was on the school Robotic team.

He attended 3 years of UTSA Science and Engineering preFreshman program.  In seventh grade was invited to a Leadership school in Washington DC. We drove him there rented a hotel and waited a week for him.  He stayed in college dorms and We never saw him till the day we picked him up. :/

He became the president of the National Honor Society.  He gave an absolute amazing speech during induction of new members.  For those of you reading this if you have never heard Charlie give a speech, you are missing out. He is very well read and the words flow with professionalism.

One more day till the start of the 2 biggest events yet.

To be continued...

NOTE.  After traveling through 5 more States yesterday starting halfway in Virginia. I breezed through West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. When I got to the heart of New Jersey it got slow.  It actually took me 40 minutes to go 3500 feet.  Just to get a toll ticket to get to NY.  I took a little bridge to Staten Island and then I took the gigantic Verzanno Bridge to Brooklyn.   I had to take the bridge I'm too claustrophobic to sit in Holland tunnel under water. Ha

I parked 2 blocks from Charlie's apt. I was beaming ear to ear as I saw him walking down the street to get me. 😃

[troiboizkid]

[troiboizkid]

#alittleblogonCharlie. #2

Left Wytheville Va this morning gotta about 450 miles to cover. This journey is taking longer than it took Charlie to grow up.

This picture is Charlie in 5 th Grade. He had a wonderful 4th n 5 th grade teacher Mrs. Esquivel. She really kept the kids on point and pushed the ones that excelled a little harder.

At Royalgate Elementary they had the graduation and did valedictorian etc. I cant count or remember all the Academic awards that Charlie received in his 6 years of school there. But I literally have notebooks full of certificates and shelf filled with trophies and medals.

He was so gifted in learning, but had some struggles health wise and this affected his ability to play sports.

I was an athlete my whole life. So when Charlie started Baseball at 3 years old and Basketball while in Kinder then Karate when he was in 2nd grade, I was excited. I even coached for awhile. But it only lasted till he was about 8 years of age. It became to much for him.

This kid was in pain every time he ran or over did it since the age of 3. He went in the hospital a lot. It took the docs 7 more years to figure out he had Polyarticular Rhuematoid Arthritis. Despite all this he continued to excel.

Typical Charlie.

He never complained and he never let anyone know all those years ...he just dealt with it his way.

I guess he is kinda tuff like his Momma ... Autoimmune Disease. phhhfftt. Cause we are the only ones who can kick our own azz. Ha.

I am so proud of this kid. I just wish time would have went a little slower.

On the road. Check back soon

NYC or Bust!!! Charlie Time.

[troiboizkid]

#AlittleBlogofCharlie. #1

So my real journey started almost 23 years ago. When I decided it was time at age 29 to bring a lifetime of love into my life. I never had a test beforehand to find out if my baby was a boy or a girl. In my heart I knew he was a boy.

I named him after my Daddy whom I adored ... I only wish my Dad was still here to meet him

Everyday I spoke to him as I carried him in my stomach. I read to him, played Music, and danced with him. Well, for anyone who doubt that works I know for a fact it had a great impact. They all influence Charlie to this day.

Charlie my old soul. He never really spoke at a early age. I had even had his hearing tested. The Doctor told me he can hear and do not worry he was just taking it all in. Soon after that appointment he started talking in complete sentences and was very articulate. That started a trend, when Charlie was ready he would accomplish anything he set his heart on.

He was reading by pre k. In fact he stood on stage at the Christmas Pageant and recited the 23 Psalm

...by memory!

By kinder he was reading lots of books. Thanks to an amazing kinder teacher Mrs. Garcia he was recognized,tested, and placed in Gifted and talented.

In first grade he came home everyday and said he was bored. All they teach is Baby stuff. LoL. We had him tested to see if he could pass to the next grade. He passed it all with flying colors, but in Charlie style wanted to stay with his friends. So in First grade he was going to a 2 nd grade class to study science. The most amazing thing was, when he was in First grade he was going to a

3rd grade class with mr Ramirez, where he read and wrote and did the same homework they did. ( he had Mr Ramirez again when he really got to 3 rd grade)He never looked back. Charlie just kept excelling in everything....

#NYCorBust #mylittleEinsteinhisKinderPhoto

#hisnicknameatdaycareChritianschoolwasPreacherBoy"

I'm off lots of more miles to travel. !!!

[troiboizkid]

My Old Soul Charles

[troiboizkid]

This was a mini blog as I traveled 1888 miles to see my Charles graduate from NYU. Traveling that many miles reminded me of how fast time flies when you are raising a child. I wrote everyday some of my favorite moments of my Beautiful sons life.