My Sunshine

**** I try to celebrate major mile stones for the Things with a "right of passage" celebration. Thing2 had his last day of elementary school today. Moving up to Middle School is such a big transition in their lives and it marks tremendous emotional and maturity growth. Tonight we celebrate Thing2 with dinner, gifts, a movie and letters from special people in his life. This is my love letter to my son:






“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own SUNSHINE.”
~Anthony J. D’Angelo

Thing2,
Someone once told me that your first born is your “pride” and your second is your “joy.” I’m not sure that this is completely true because you are always making me so very proud. But, JOY definitely describes what it feels like to be your Mom. You are the fun and the zip and the pizzazz in my life. You are my SUNSHINE.

When you were a baby you were all smiles and happiness. Nothing upset you. You were so easy going and content. Your laugh was contagious. Everywhere we went people stopped to say what an adorable happy baby you were while they had great big smiles on their faces.

As a toddler you were fearless and adventurous. You tackled your world with a need to conquer it or laugh at it. Whether playing with your toes to entertain yourself in time-out or looking at a picture book all by yourself, I knew that your imagination was already carrying you off to a wonderful world full of fun and adventure.

Starting grade school you were always the life of the party and willing to try anything. Learning was an adventure and you were ready to go. Other kids were drawn to you and the joy that you brought to everything. You made friends so easily and people just wanted to be around you.

Over the years, not a lot has changed. You are still so full of light and life. You are joyful and adventurous. And yet over the years you have changed dramatically. You are no longer that tiny bundle of smiles I hated to put down as a baby. Now you over flow my lap with your long legs and over flow my life with laughter. You are growing up to be such a charismatic and genuine young man. You astound me with your generosity. You amaze me with the depth of your faith.

So many times I have thought about how very different you and I are. Our personalities, the way we look at things or think about things. But what I have come to realize is that you are all the things I have never been brave enough to be. You are wild and carefree and passionate about the world and I am in awe of that. I watch you grow every day in wonder. I can’t help but think “What will he do next?” “What will he experience and conquer in a way I never even dreamed possible?” I love watching the way the world unfolds for you. Being your mother isn’t just about being proud and happy. It’s about getting to see and experience life in new ways through you. You are my SUNSHINE. You bring light to things I never saw before.

As you get older, I hope and pray that I can be the Mom that you need me to be; the Mom that can keep you safe and guide you and still let you soar free.

I love you more than any words can express, my SUNSHINE!
Momma