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Slice-of-life stories about parenthood

The Gift of “Eight”

The Gift of “Eight”

April 1, 2014 by Amy, Using Our Words 12 Comments

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Dear Big,

I’m guessing you don’t even realize it, but as we drove to your birthday dinner on Saturday night, you gave me an enormous gift.

With Grandma and Grandpa visiting, our car was packed to the brim, leaving the back row for the two of us. After lugging myself over the middle-row seats and settling in, I reached over to pat your leg. A quiet little hello. Without a thought, you put your hand down, and wove your fingers between mine — casually, comfortably, confidently.

We stayed like that, hand in hand, the whole drive to the restaurant.

Chances are, that gesture escaped you as soon as we broke free of the backseat, and ran through the rain to your celebration. Chances are, I’ll never forget it. Those few minutes? They filled my heart, and made me realize what I love about “eight”.

As you’ve been rounding the corner to this new year, I’ve noticed that though you need me less and less, you still want me. You actually hope that I’ll come to your class parties, watch you smash the ball at your baseball games, and listen in as you sit through your religious education classes.

It’s not like when you were younger, though. You don’t cling to me, or even check in all that often. But the fact that we can exchange a smile from afar is a simple reminder that the strings that tie our hearts together are still there — they’ve simply stretched over time.

That’s a good thing. A really good thing, I think. Yes, I’ve watched you (perhaps too closely and anxiously) as you’ve grown from a cautious toddler, tentative about making new friends, to a confident boy with so many playground buddies I can barely keep track of them all (no matter how many times you remind me that, yes, I do know who Bryan is). And your brother and sister are among them. Sure they can drive you crazy, but you’re their playmate, teacher, coach, and hero. Not because you have to be, but because you want to be.

I can also sense that you’re growing more self aware, but not yet self conscious. Slowly and surely, you’re learning to turn your feelings into words, and using them openly to explore kindness, heartache, frustration, fear, and excitement. I’m in awe of your honesty and openness with Dad and me, and I pray you always trust us like you do now.

Yes, “eight” has you exploding with life, energy, insights, heart, humor, knowledge, and strength. Oh how proud I am of all that you are this very moment. And I can’t wait to see what else unfolds over the year ahead.

Like all childhood phases, I know this one will be gone too quickly. So, as long as “eight” will let me, I’ll gently wrap my fingers around it and hold on. Because this is a lovely place to be.

Happy birthday, Big! I love you so.

Love,
Mom

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Filed Under: featured, Mom Musings, Popular Tagged With: 2nd grade, Big, birthday, birthday boy, confidence, eight, growing up, heart, motherhood

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Comments

  1. Lindsey says

    April 1, 2014 at 10:45 am

    Tears in my eyes. Happy 8, to both of you. The clasped hands and the new independence both. Together, magic. xo

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      April 6, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Thank you, Lindsey!

      Reply
  2. Julia says

    April 1, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Oh, Amy. As usual, beautiful words. What a treasure they will be to Big. Eight is amazing. And so is Big. Happy, Happy!

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      April 6, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Thank you, my friend!

      Reply
  3. Kelly says

    April 1, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Beautiful letter, Amy!

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      April 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm

      Thanks so much, Kelly.

      Reply
  4. Uncle B and soon to be Auntie S says

    April 1, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    What a beautiful letter very well-written we really enjoyed reading it together!

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      April 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm

      Thanks for reading it and celebrating with the 8-year old.

      Reply
  5. Pam says

    April 6, 2014 at 1:26 am

    Another beautiful one Amy…I so enjoyed reading. Very special…..just like Big ….and his mom!

    Hugs, Pam

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      April 6, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Thanks, Pam. Hugs back at you!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Scary Truth says:
    July 31, 2014 at 8:31 am

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  2. The Moment That Made Me a More Compassionate Mother says:
    September 25, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    […] to be the kinder, gentler mother I know I can be. Because you see, I like to think that Big is pretty spectacular already, and I want him to walk through life knowing that he’s exactly the kid that I hoped I […]

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I’m Amy, the girl next door. I’m your average obsessive mom/ happy wife/ freelance copywriter/ slice-of-life blogger/ social media addict/ chocolate lovin’ wino. Read More…

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