It's hard to remember a time when you weren't here to complete our four-some, child. After all, you were the size of a poppyseed when Audrey was just 9 months old, so it's easy to imagine you've been here all along. Now I know why your Papa and I felt the intense need to have you come so quickly on the heels of your big sister. You two were meant to be twins--best friends, sharing a birthday. And that's what you do--so unselfishly--you share your birthday with your sister's half-birthday mark and you're all the more joyful to have your best buddy join in the celebration.
You're four years old, kid, (even though you're more keen on being 5 or 6) and like every year before, I can't believe this one has passed so quickly. You've grown so much in all directions, and you've spent so much of your time loving everyone around you fiercely...which means we can't help but love you equally in return. You are so full of "extra", Bear. You feel everything so much more than the rest of us, which means we've struggled through understanding your extra anger at times and even more of your extra anxiety. But, we've also envied the extra happiness you are able to exude...the extra excitement and the extra joy that help us realize again and again the beauty of this world when it is seen through your eyes.
On the rare occasion that I'm out of the house alone, I inevitably find myself wishing you and your sister were with me so I could point out something just for the pleasure of seeing your reaction. You make every day joyful, challenging, and entirely blessed. I feel so privileged to have spent these four years (and ten months) with you. You are a child of great depth and I cannot wait to see you unleash your full force of "extra" onto this world with every passing year. I'm grateful for every minute of every day that I'm with you, my darling.
Love,
Mama Gigi
No comments:
Post a Comment