Dear Canton,

NINE! You are NINE!

Your birthday falls on Mother’s Day this year, which hasn’t happened before.  Seems appropriate the first time it is on Mother’s Day is your last year of single digits!

I know it sounds cliche, but these years are really going too fast. I remember the moment the doctor laid you on my chest. I remember the days of colic and doubting my ability. I remember your constant toddler talk and building Thomas the Train tracks. I remember when the three of us became four, and then five. There is more and more to remember, some of the daily memories get more fuzzy, but I hope you never forget how loved you are.

You have found a lot of yourself in this past year.  You entered third grade, a big kid now. You started doing even more complicated math in your head and reading whatever you could get your hands on. Your passion for marine biology has grown and you have taken up the theatre.

It has been so exciting to watch you come alive on stage. You love to strike up a conversation with anyone, now you are delighting audiences with your laugh. You led Dandelion Wine with the first line of the play, a line Mr. Lyles wrote especially for you! In Anne of Green Gables your job was to be a laughing school boy, and you nailed the part with that special laugh of yours! You’ve also starting taking acting classes with Mr. B and happily sing and dance Steppin Time all hours of the day.  May you always have a song in your heart and a skip in your step.

I was standing in the driveway the other day watching you play with your sisters and it hit me, stabbed my heart really, we are halfway through our time with you living at home. It has gone so fast. Standing there, I could envision you changing from the baby who would only go to mom to the young man who talks to anyone! I reminded myself not to get so frustrated with your messy room, but to think of how much I’ll miss every corner being full of something you created when it’s empty.

Continue to allow your sensitivity to flourish. Sensitivity is brave. You let your feelings be known and you look out for others. Always be brave enough to show the world who you are. People may forget what you say, but they never forget how you make them feel. In a world where you can be anything, be kind. As Aesop said, No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. And from your big, beautiful brown eyes, look for good in others.

You light up a room when you enter.  You always have a funny story or interesting questions or facts.  Your teacher, Mrs. G, said you give the best hugs of anyone ever. May you always hug someone who needs it and spread love everywhere you go.

I love to watch you roll around with Adleigh or make something with Liberty.  Lou will be off to school next year, she needs her big brother helping her find her own way. You also have your share of fights, but love always gives you another chance, you will always be loved and we will always be ready for your to own up to mistakes and try again. You are a good role model for choosing good friends and being safe and respectful. I love the way you love your sisters. Continue to give generously and protect your sisters. Family is not an important thing, it is everything.

You continue to grow and amaze me each day. You are kind, capable, funny, inquisitive, beautiful, soulful, compassionate young man. Never change the way you see the world and the way it makes you feel.

I love you are the boy that still holds my hand to cross a parking lot, and even though you now start to let go when we safely cross and I feel you slipping away as you get older, you will always hold my heart.

You are my sunshine!

I LOVE YOU!

Love,

Mom