Six

{To My Sweet Boy on his Sixth Birthday}

Buddy Boy, you are a big personality. Nothing you do is small. You feel things deeply, experience things strongly, love completely, and generally live your young life to the fullest.

When you were just inside me, we knew you were going to be wild. When you were only a few weeks old, we knew you had a strong desire to be on the go. I cringed a little when, at three months the pediatrician commented on your remarkable strength, and warned us that you would probably be walking at eight or nine months. He was right. You were ready to run at nine and a half months. And climb. And climb. And climb. You still climb, and to be honest, it drives us nuts. We constantly remind you to only climb things meant to be climbed, like playground equipment, but it doesn't matter. When you were three, I turned for just a minute outside at church, and when I turned back around, you were halfway up the wall. You scaled a wall. Like Spiderman. Always keeping us on our toes.

You love others fully, and you are compassionate. Injustice infuriates you. You tell us you want to go to Africa when you are grown and tell everyone about Jesus, every single person. This makes my heart swell. I hope you travel the world and fulfill this purpose that God has placed in your heart. I will start praying now that I will be able to let you go. I love that a day does not go by that you don't tell your family that you love them. I love to hear your prayers when you thank God for the blessings in your life. And I love that you can recognize these blessings.

You are generous. You share with your sister all the time, everyday, without us prompting you, and often without any appreciation from her. You are a great big brother. Please continue to be your sisters' protector. When you are teenagers. When you are adults. When mom and dad cannot be there.

We pray that you will choose what God has planned for your life. God has gifted you with great intelligence, and a crazy memory. You are kind, you are compassionate, you want justice in this world. You have a great sense of humor, and you have an insane amount of energy. You really wear us out, but we adore you. We are crazy about you. You are a gift straight from God.

Buddy Boy, we celebrate your birth today! Happy Sixth!