To My Birthday Boy

To My Birthday Boy,

Oh sweet boy.  What a wonderful, hilarious, joyful, exceedingly blissful year it’s been.  What do you think of your life so far?  It’s hard to believe that, six years ago today, I was just going in for one of your last checkups only to find out that you’d be joining us in the world a few short whirlwind hours later. 

Every time someone asks me how old my kids are I hesitate because it cannot possibly be true you are six years old.  You're such a whole PERSON these days, I can't get over it.  So much has changed in one year.

I swell with pride when you own your feelings. When you read me a book. When you are kind and giving without a thought they you shouldn’t be. When you think of others. When you encourage your brother or a stranger.  When you remind me you’re only six.  

I cannot believe you’re six. You’re in SCHOOL. You’re reading. You like to sit and think about numbers. “Mom. Did you know 5 and 11 is 16?” You did not get that from me. 

You and I are so similar. We have the same wants and desires and issues. We are very particular in how we want things done. We are, I’m sorry, totally Type A personalities. This will serve you well when you’re grown. It’ll get things done. You’ll be really organized and in charge. But being like this while small and growing up, can be challenging, to say the least. 

I guess what I want you to know about the way our brains can work is that, you’ll always be thinking, figuring out, running things over in your brain, sometimes overthinking and being anxious, but it’s okay. It’s all part of the wonderful person you are. Your magnificent brain is a valid, essential part of the keen intellect you possess. It’s not anything you can or should change. Now and In the coming years, we’ll help you, teach you, to harness it and direct it to greatness, comfort and happiness.

Because we’re so similar, we’re often at each other’s throats. I’m grateful we are both so verbal so after the fighting and yelling and bickering we can talk about whatever has happened, go forward, start again. I can tell it shows you it’s okay to start again. To mess up. To tell and fight. Because we ALWAYS love each other.  The beginning again doesn't even seem to phase you these days.

I love that you ask me “Will you always love me?”  I will always love you. No matter what. There isn’t anything you could do to make me stop loving you. Even though you think it’s fun to suggest things that could make me stop. For the record, even if you break a door or stomp on me, I’d still love you.

You are a pretty social, popular kid. I like to think it’s because you’re kind and inclusive. You never seem to leave anyone out. You are who you are regardless of who you’re around. You’re an insufferable know-it-all, just like your Ravenclaw mom.  You are such an extrovert and love the flurry of people.  It fuels you, kid.  And then you sleep really hard.

This year, you’ve started to learn that life isn’t fair, people aren’t always kind, things aren’t always happy. You tell me, “Mom, let me get through my feelings.” And self talk “calm down, deep breath”. You’ve never been a little kid, babe. You’ve always been 40 years old. Would wear a bow tie and sweater vests 365 if you knew that was an option.  You've got an old soul.

Pokemon, as much as I thought it would be a blip on the screen, is still going strong in our house.  The battles and training and gaming is just everywhere.  Your birthday party, for the second year in a row, was Pokemon.  Wow, it's just your favorite and it's something you and your dad can bond over.  I'm trying to learn it and love it. 

You are getting into gaming in general.  You love playing Diablo with dad and Bean.  You are even getting better at the Nintendo.  I love watching you figure out games.  Figure out they are hard on purpose and get frustrated.

I think you’re a great, cool kid and the best son a mom could ask for.  Stay kind, stay curious, stay little forever.  Tuck in on the movie couch and snuggle your dad, brother and me for always.  You're my most favorite Felix in the whole world.  I know I say it each year, but seriously, best year of my life.  

All my love, 
Your mama