Dear Barrett,
Double digits, man!
The big 1-0! Happy birthday. You have been blessing our lives for 10 whole
years with your funny laugh, your giving heart and your out-of-the-blue sweet
hugs.
Honestly, this year was hard emotionally. We had some walls to break down and it wasn’t
easy, but you are worth it. A million times worth it. We would walk through glass for you. It has
been a maturing year for you. You are in
this place where you are growing up and growing up is hard work…walking the
line between playing tag and playing it cool, between having the carefree life
of a kid and the responsibility of having more freedom. You are growing wiser,
making tougher choices and dealing with big emotions. But you are also still a kid who has a lot to
learn and there will be plenty of mistakes to learn from. I wish you understood that we don’t expect
you to already know everything or do things right on the first try. It’s okay to ask for help. We are proud of
you, even when you make mistakes, and especially when you learn from them. I’m
going to quote the Pretenders here because they said it so well:
“When…you don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less
I'll stand by you”
We see you working and learning everyday. I wish you could truly see the wonderful
human being you are! I believe in you
and the wonderful man you’re becoming. You are an amazing person with so much to give. You are so kind and loving and generous. You are a good friend, the kind who gives his
own money to the kid who forgot his lunch money. You are a great brother, the kind who gives
his prize toys from the arcade to his brother and sister just to see them
smile. You are the kind of brother who
worries about the safety of his siblings, and lets his scared younger siblings
sleep in his room during a storm. You
are the kind of son who surprises me with warm, sweet hugs ‘just because’ and
loves to have conversations about the interesting things you are learning and
the crazy things people do. I love
talking to you and listening to you. You
are full of meaningful ideas and have so many important things to say.
You have empathy for others and feel their joys and pains. I
think that is a great quality to have and it will guide you to do the right
thing. You also stand up for what you
believe…another trait that will take you far in life.
I love to watch you play baseball and basketball. You make me smile and I’m so glad you’re in
my life. I’m so lucky to be your mommy. I love you more than words can express.
Love,
Mommy
