Birthday Letter (2nd)

Nolan,

This year has been filled with so much. I've watched you grow. I've helped you learn. I've witnessed the development of your eccentric personality.

You're stubborn, yet flexible and laid-back. You're often times demanding and querulous, but equally content and independent. You love learning new things, soaking them up like a little sponge, but only on your own terms. I realize these things contradict one another, and yet, they're all true.

I ponder these contradictions, imagining the kind of person they might be shaping.

Perhaps a person with unwavering opinions and ideas, who can also relax and have fun. Maybe you'll be a disciplined leader (of sorts), who can also work successfully on your own. Perhaps you'll have a hunger for knowledge, and really enjoy learning new things - just like your daddy.

You're so silly. I spend a good portion of my days laughing with you. You seem to enjoy making us laugh, and you don't have to try that hard to accomplish it. Nearly everything you do is animated and dramatic. From saying "all done" at meal times with theatric sign language and head nodding, to running to get toys and slam-dunking them into their baskets during clean up times. You're like a little cartoon character.

You're a little bit shy, but not too bad. Nothing like you were twelve months ago.

You are so sweet. Just genuinely a sweet little boy. Please stay that way. You seem to have a thoughtfulness that goes beyond your mere two years of age. You share everything and seem distraught by the concept of me or daddy not having whatever you have.

You seem to have a sixth sense for when I'm sad, and you give particularly good cuddles during those times.

You never get too upset during redirection, you take your discipline bravely and we go about our day. Unless it's obvious that you've really upset me, and then it's like you're heart broken. Afterwards, you always ask for a hug. (you always get one too)

This year, you've taught me patience. I've learned how to discipline, while still showing you love. I've shaped my own behaviors around you - around teaching you how to respond to life. I'm a daily witness to you. I want to show you how to shake off things that don't matter, handle daily frustrations without getting angry, genuinely show kindness to other people, and above all show a lot of love. Such a basic human emotion, that people have turned into an abstract thing. Jesus tells us, to love others as we love ourselves. It shouldn't be hard for us to just love on one another, when we serve a God who loves on us all the time. And yet...

I'm not a great example of that last one, but I feel like I improve on it daily. For you. I have it so engrained in my spirit to improve myself, just so that I can be a better example for you, that's it's changing who I am. Perhaps slowly, but surely. For that, I can't thank you enough. You are constantly turning me into a better person, and I just love you so much for it.

You're amazing, kid. Truly, utterly, completely amazing.

So far, I'm not seeing any signs of terrible twos, let's keep it that way, Son. ;)

Happy Birthday, Bug!

Love,
Mama