Nearly One Year

Dear Son,

This past weekend, your family and I whisked you away for your first ever vacation - a celebration of your first year of life. It was a wonderful time in the heart of Pigeon Forge Tn. We stayed high atop a mountain in a breathtakingly beautiful chalet overlooking a picturesque valley. Your Grandma Peggy, Grandma Toni, Grandpa Danny, Uncle Chris, Aunt Mimi, Uncle Jesse, Aunt Lana and five of your cousins, as well as Nana and Les joined us in the festivities. You seemed to very much enjoy yourself, but I could tell the noise level was a little startling to you. It's pretty quiet for the most part around our home - and when we all get together . . . well, quiet is the last word I would use to describe us. You seemed determined to be heard, and spent much of the time just letting your presence be known by shouting out over everyone whenever you decided we were being too loud. You of course had your very own cake to dig in to . . . and promptly stuck your face in it after being shown the way by your Uncle Chris. We came home with more clothes and toys for you than I am sure what to do with at this point . . . I was a little concerned we wouldn't even be able to pack it all into our vehicle for the ride home, but we made it none the less.

I was especially thrilled when on the way home we stopped in a little baby shop in Gatlinburg called Smokey Mountain Baby. We picked you out a little Gilligan's hat, that you were none too excited to wear . . . but the thing that I will always remember about that place is shop owner. He seemed quite taken with you, as most people seem to be when they meet you. He asked your name and after playing with you for a moment, was kind enough to help your grandmother out with the stroller while I continued to look around the store. When I was checking out, I noticed the song playing over the speaker . . . and noticed the children were singing YOUR NAME!! I paused at first in disbelief - since your name is a unique one I have never really seen or heard on anything else. But, he had programed it in to the computer and there it was, playing for all to hear. Probably seems like a silly little thing to you - but I was overjoyed by his thoughtfulness.

Tomorrow is your actual birthday. Still it is hard for me to believe . . . I've had you for a year.

On one hand - seems like just yesterday . . . and then, on the other - seems like you've been here forever.

Always remember son . . .

I carry your heart with me
(I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it
(anywhere I go you go, my dear;
and whatever is done by only me is your doing,
my darling)

I fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and its you are
whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will aways sing
is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life
which grows higher than the soul can hope or
the mind can hide

and THIS is the wonder thats keeping the starts apart

I carry your heart
(I carry your heart in my heart)

e.e. cummings

More than anything I could ever hope to say
my dear Son . . .

The above says it all.

I love you to the moon.