To My Sweet, Sweet Child

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...Ephesians 3:20

Tuesday, August 21, 2007...a day I will not soon forget. A day I will forever cherish. For it is that day I learned of your creation my sweet child. I fell in love with you from that very moment and caught only a glimpse of the love that has grown immeasurably since that day.

I have thought about this letter for months. So many thoughts and feelings I don't want to forget. It all goes so fast. I know you are too young to read, much less understand anything I write, but my hope is that someday you will read it and know how much you were loved and just how much joy you have brought. People have always told me that having a child will change your life and there is nothing else like it. I never really understood that until now. It is an indescribable, overwhelming joy. From the moment I knew you existed, something stirred deep within me and I will never be the same.

You have made me a better person. You have brought me closer to your daddy, closer to our Maker, closer to family and friends and closer to understanding what this thing called life is really all about. You are a precious, perfect and wonderfully made gift. I am in awe of what God has given us and will never take that for granted. I have learned so many things from being your mother in just one short year. I appreciate things and see things more clearly than before. Things that used to matter most, don't really matter at all. Sometimes I don't understand how we were so blessed to receive you, a healthy, beautiful baby boy. But I am forever grateful and I will spend the rest of my days making sure that you know of the love that has brought you here.

I guess you could say "you had me from hello." When I very first saw you, you stole my heart. Your dimples, your crooked smile, your big feet, your fuzzy hair, how you cackle and your eyes light up when you laugh...these are just a few of the things I love about you. Every time you give me a slobbery kiss, hold my hand, lay your head on my shoulder, let me rock you to sleep, I can't help but think that it might be the last and these are the moments I'm going to miss.

But I can't wait to watch you grow up. I wish and pray for so many things for you. While I want you to be successful and live a fulfilling life, I don't care so much if you make the honor roll or the basketball team. What I do care about is that you build neverending friendships, learn from your mistakes and have the confidence to follow your dreams. I pray for your faith and that we will raise you in a home that is an image of God's love. I pray for your character and that you will be humble and truthful in your decisions. I pray for your future wife and the life you will share together. I pray that you always know the unconditional love I have for you. During good times, I will be your number one cheerleader and during bad times, I will never give up on you.

You have a great big world out there waiting on you. An empty canvas...and I can't wait to see what legacy you fill it with.

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet child.

Love,
Mom