The Writer

“ PLEASE don’t make my idea go away”

7:40 in the Morning

My son Razi is a first grader.

And now he’s late for school.

Our A Train is held for a sick passenger. We’re finally approaching his school stop. I’m hustling because….we’re LATE

Razi’s been writing a new book. He writes 3 new little 4–8 page cartoon stories every week

The train pulls in.

Me — Pack up your book and pen Bud, we’re here

He writes frantically. I’m frustrated.

Me — Bud we’re already 10 minutes late! Come on

Razi — Mama I have an idea and it’s really good

Me — WE. ARE. LATE

I start to take his pen out his hand. He tears up and pokes his lip out.

Razi — (almost crying) Please PLEASE don’t make my idea go away

I stop and SEE him.

He’s freaking desperate, holding his little book to his chest, eyes watering and begging

Me — Damn…OK

Because I know what he’s talking about. I’m a writer. I have missed trains, buses, classes, dates, movies and train stops because I had to grab an idea and put it down before it disappeared like a fart in the wind.

Razi, like his mom, is a writer.

I See Him. My husband sees him. But most importantly, Razi Sees himself.

And I LOVE that.

18 months ago I ran off my elevator through the lobby and saw it…an unused box on 11 X 14 inch paper.

I was late for rehearsal but I love free stuff. And when it’s paper or any kind of art supply, the WORLD STOPS and I have to have it. This is a benefit of living next to one of the city’s biggest art schools.

Razi had been writing all throughout the summer of 2017. His newfound hobby at barely 5 years old had me wondering if this was a phase.

I folded the paper in half. “This makes a nice little booklet” I told myself. So I made a dozen booklets. Each had 5 sheets of paper that made 10 page booklets when folded and stapled. I handed one to Razi.

Me — Hey Bud, Mama wants you to make her a book.

An hour later he came back with one. Then another one, then a third. That first week he made all ten books. Each had a little story about a dude named Sammy that always has bad things happen to him.

After almost a year we realized he had over a hundred of them. Now there’s more than 200.

A few weeks ago, in conversation, I realized Razi thinks about TV seasons and episodes.

Razi — Mama how many episodes do you need to tell a complete story?

Me — At least 6. That’s what the Brits do a lot. 6 episodes

Razi — That feels short

Me — It is. American network dramas will have like 20

Razi — WOW! There’s a lot you can do with 20

Me — I know, imagine the stories you can tell

With eyes wide with wonderment, he stares ahead, smiling.

Razi — That would be so awesome

He’s 6.

He wants a show on Youtube because I explained that NBC won’t just put his show on if he asks them.

Razi — Mama I can’t wait for them

Me — OK Bud, I feel ya

But I think NBC WILL ask him one day.

I’ve pretty much accepted that my son might wholeheartedly be the Shonda Rhimes of the 2050’s.

And I’m very cool with that.

#YesIAmThatMom

#OnTheWay