Dear Monster,
Today, you are 16. No one warns you how fast the years go. It’s hard for me to believe that you are 16 because when I look at you, I still see my little baby boy with the chubby cheeks and serious expression.
I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of you. You are an amazing young man. You have overcome so much in your life and are so strong. You persevered when school was difficult. If only those teachers could see you now. It only took the kindness of a few teachers to break you out of your shell and point you in the right direction, and look at you now! Teachers count on you because of how responsible and polite you are. You are an amazing writer, which we thought would never happen. You have always had a thirst for knowledge, but it wasn’t until some very special teachers took their time to show you what to do with that knowledge, that you actually flourished. And you haven’t stopped flourishing. You approach all learning with a passion. Even when the material is hard or boring, you dig in and soak it all up. You work hard and it pays of.
Not only do you excel in school, but you have a kind heart and try to do good. You are always there to lend a hand when needed. Yes, sometimes we have to yell at you to get off your computer to come lend that hand, but you almost always do so without argument.
It makes me so happy that you have a job that you love. This year was tough with your course load interfering with how much you could get to karate, but next year will be better and you’ll be back to doing more of what you love next week. It’s so much fun listening to you talk about your students and what they are doing and how they are progressing. I love the joy it brings you when you’re testing kids for their next belt. It is rare to find something that you get paid to do that you also have so much passion for. I hope you continue to find that in whatever career you choose.
It’s hard for me to believe that you’ll be driving on your own soon. I remember the first time I got into the car with you. It took 10 years off my life. You were supposed to just slowly pull the car about 6 feet forward. You ended up going diagonally across the driveway at the highest rate of speed possible. I thought for sure I’d never be able to get in the car with you again. However, with practice, you’ve become a very good driver and I’m so proud of you. You’ve now driven in all sorts of conditions, even when you were nervous and didn’t want to do it. I’m sorry that the pandemic has caused such a backlog in driver’s ed that you won’t be getting your license today, but you’ll have it before you know it, and then I’ll have a whole set of new worries! You’re doing great job!
I know losing Grandpa has been hard for you. Harder than you let on. You were so special to him. Don’t ever forget that. I know that you cherish the time you were able to spend with him. Those are memories that will help you when you’re missing him. I know you’re trying to still be strong for Daddy, but you are allowed to feel. You’re allowed to lean on me. I’m always here to listen if you want to talk, or if you don’t.
I know birthdays have changed a lot over the years. They are harder to be just about you when you get older. Today, you have 3 finals and your sister has soccer practice AND a softball game. Having a birthday at the end of the busiest month of the year has been tough, but you never get upset about it and are just grateful to have your family with you and celebrate when we can. I promise that we’ll celebrate like Grandpa would….birthday week!
I hope you have the best day ever. You deserve it to be wonderful!
I love you with all my heart.
Mommy
Today, you are 16. No one warns you how fast the years go. It’s hard for me to believe that you are 16 because when I look at you, I still see my little baby boy with the chubby cheeks and serious expression.
I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of you. You are an amazing young man. You have overcome so much in your life and are so strong. You persevered when school was difficult. If only those teachers could see you now. It only took the kindness of a few teachers to break you out of your shell and point you in the right direction, and look at you now! Teachers count on you because of how responsible and polite you are. You are an amazing writer, which we thought would never happen. You have always had a thirst for knowledge, but it wasn’t until some very special teachers took their time to show you what to do with that knowledge, that you actually flourished. And you haven’t stopped flourishing. You approach all learning with a passion. Even when the material is hard or boring, you dig in and soak it all up. You work hard and it pays of.
Not only do you excel in school, but you have a kind heart and try to do good. You are always there to lend a hand when needed. Yes, sometimes we have to yell at you to get off your computer to come lend that hand, but you almost always do so without argument.
It makes me so happy that you have a job that you love. This year was tough with your course load interfering with how much you could get to karate, but next year will be better and you’ll be back to doing more of what you love next week. It’s so much fun listening to you talk about your students and what they are doing and how they are progressing. I love the joy it brings you when you’re testing kids for their next belt. It is rare to find something that you get paid to do that you also have so much passion for. I hope you continue to find that in whatever career you choose.
It’s hard for me to believe that you’ll be driving on your own soon. I remember the first time I got into the car with you. It took 10 years off my life. You were supposed to just slowly pull the car about 6 feet forward. You ended up going diagonally across the driveway at the highest rate of speed possible. I thought for sure I’d never be able to get in the car with you again. However, with practice, you’ve become a very good driver and I’m so proud of you. You’ve now driven in all sorts of conditions, even when you were nervous and didn’t want to do it. I’m sorry that the pandemic has caused such a backlog in driver’s ed that you won’t be getting your license today, but you’ll have it before you know it, and then I’ll have a whole set of new worries! You’re doing great job!
I know losing Grandpa has been hard for you. Harder than you let on. You were so special to him. Don’t ever forget that. I know that you cherish the time you were able to spend with him. Those are memories that will help you when you’re missing him. I know you’re trying to still be strong for Daddy, but you are allowed to feel. You’re allowed to lean on me. I’m always here to listen if you want to talk, or if you don’t.
I know birthdays have changed a lot over the years. They are harder to be just about you when you get older. Today, you have 3 finals and your sister has soccer practice AND a softball game. Having a birthday at the end of the busiest month of the year has been tough, but you never get upset about it and are just grateful to have your family with you and celebrate when we can. I promise that we’ll celebrate like Grandpa would….birthday week!
I hope you have the best day ever. You deserve it to be wonderful!
I love you with all my heart.
Mommy
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