{Gratitude Friday} A Letter to My Oldest Boy on His 16th Birthday

My baby is growing into a man

Treasure–that’s
the word I would use to describe you
from the first
time I saw you
even before, when you
kicked my ribs to play
you were a treasure– housed
beneath my heart and even more deeply
within my heart.

My first born, you’ve grown
and watching you, caring for you,
has helped me grow too.
I love the man I see you becoming
I love the boy I still see within you
I am
SO. PROUD.
of both

I hold no hopes for you but this
That you continue to grow, explore
shine and share
the brilliant light within you
knowing that your momma
is and always will be

so thankful and grateful
to call you
my son.

************

I’ve been abundantly blessed with three lovely children that I’m incredibly proud of… and today, I’m extremely aware of how fast time flies.  My baby boy is hardly a baby anymore… 16 and looking more and more each day like a man.  I miss the soft baby edges that used to make up his face and yet, I’m intrigued by his transformation into a man.  I hope (with all my heart) I’ve given him what he needs to navigate the world, to share his gifts, and to enjoy his blessings.  I worry, like mothers do, that he will find the world a cold place and I wish I could protect him the way I did when he was still a baby… but I know I can’t.

What I can do is trust.  Trust that his innate kindness, his smarts, his creativity, and his inquisitiveness will lead him to the places he’s meant to go and to be the person he’s meant to be.

I love you Xavier and I am so very thankful that God gave you to me.  I don’t know why I was so lucky, but I’m terribly proud that He chose me to be your mother!

***********

It’s Gratitude Friday!  I’m not adding a Linky today, but if you want to join in, feel free to add a link to your own Gratitude post or just leave a list of the things that you feel grateful for down below in the comments.  Thanks for counting your blessings with me!  :)