I’ve been feeling very sentimental of late…Perhaps the arrival of the newest addition to our family coinciding with your birthday week has sparked the memory bank…perhaps one never truly forgets. But the memories are there, as vivid as my yesterday.

 

You have grown so much this past year, and I don’t only mean your height; even though you have grown past me! You have grown in confidence and independence too; let go of the proverbial apron strings so to speak. You have grown in so many ways, yet some things feel like they haven’t changed at all.  My heart beats with pride just thinking about the individual you are morphing into…but you didn’t reach here without a great deal of struggle and sacrifice…Struggles you were too young to remember. Struggles I am glad you don’t remember….But I do remember, and it makes me want to draw my protective shield over you ever so tightly.

There are some who would like to take credit for your good manners and gentlemanly charm…your worldly knowledge and wisdom far greater than your years. Gosh! Sometimes I want to take credit for it too! But the truth is that you are a rare and special soul who has brought in me a  much needed calmness, faith and reason (and ever so often give me a good dose of a reality check too with your quirky and witty one liners that has me laughing till my sides hurt!).

You are the joy and laughter of our home. Sensitive (in a way that is different to your siblings), sensible, steadfast…and a little bossy too! A wild card with a gentle heart and a stubborn streak. An off the bat talker, say it as it is (but with a sense of humour) kind of boy. Your bouncing off the walls and crazy exterior housing an internally calm individual. “Big brother” to your big sister, instigator of trouble with your baby brother and dearly loved by ALL who know you.

Your late grandfather always said that you are destined for great things. All I can hope and pray for as you get older and head into Life is that you don’t get swallowed by the world or allow the world to change you! The illusion that is this world will always be a temptation…but you will be ok as long as you never forget your roots…never forget what we stand for and never forget who you are!

P.S Please don’t exercise your stubborn streak during photo taking times so that next year I can have plenty more pictures to add to my post!!