#303

Megan's Bambi eyelashes haven't shortened, thinned, drooped, or otherwise diminished whatsoever. I pay attention. They're still perfect.

Michael unhumbly told me he has mannerisms like Papa Mike, or so he's heard. Oh brother. He hasn't been so proud since he went deep and home-run-trotted in a real game. That's memorable, and so is having kick-ass grandparents. I'm grateful Michael has four fantastic ones. But is Michael's emulation of Papa something to worry about? Oh God yes! YOUNG Papa Mike especially! Holy shit, the stories.... I suppose when you name a guy after a guy you send a message, and though I joke about it, let me be clear: it's a message I'd shout louder every day if I could; I never thought for a second about other names, the easiest decision of my life: Michael Byard Cox.

One thing we associate with Papa Mike – although he's too modest to agree – is extraordinary professional success. On success, I saw the following from the New York Times: "It turns out that for all their diversity, the strikingly successful groups in America today share three traits that, together, propel success. The first is a superiority complex – a deep-seated belief in their exceptionality. The second appears to be the opposite – insecurity, a feeling that you or what you've done is not good enough. The third is impulse control. It's odd to think of people feeling simultaneously superior and insecure. Yet it's precisely this unstable combination that generates drive: a chip on the shoulder, a goading need to prove oneself. Add impulse control – the ability to resist temptation – and the result is people who systematically sacrifice present gratification in pursuit of future attainment." Papa Mike and impulse control? The guy always striving and failing, in his own words, to be Mr. Patient and Mr. Frugal? Well, he's never failed to be Mr. Working-His-Ass-Off (my words now). So there's that. Which takes impulse control, or focus, or something that must lend itself to success. Grandma Barb busts her ass too. When there's work to do, they do it; shit gets done. Period. I hope M 'n' m have a work ethic like their grandparents.