Six
Monique | Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 12:00AM Dearest Caesar Noel,
The vicious storming in my heart must only mean one thing: It's your birthday.
You are six years old today.
Your fifth year was remarkable, you flew through Kindergarten, and are now about to enter the First Grade {this year we were smart and ordered your backpack online to prevent a repeat of the in store mommy sob fest of last year}, you've made many amazing personal strides; helping out at home, becoming more independent and taking the initiative to learn and grow.
You ask "May I?" and I am always hesitant. Not because I don't trust in you, but because I am your mother, and I know that everything you do for yourself is one less thing you need me to do for you.
I'm not quite ready to let go of the baby I still see in your eyes.
But, much to my chagrin, you're no baby after all.
You are fully capable of taking on the responsibilities you've asked for, and I hand over the reins with great pride, and faith in your abilities.
You have learned to read, and can solve some pretty complex mathematical equations. You're writing out your own letters to friends and family with less help from us, and over the summer we all started to learn Swahili - which you are finding surprisingly enjoyable.
There have been some milestones that we'd hoped we wouldn't hit...
Like the traditional rite of cutting your own hair {an incident that was unbelievably recent} that almost every child has attempted.
A huge talk about the choices you can make for yourself, that might not align with what everyone else is doing.
A time of loss and disappointment for our family, when I was pregnant and then, heartbreakingly, wasn't.
And a unique lesson in death that only we would experience, when you caught sight of an unfortunate accident that resulted in a deer flying through the air when it jumped in front of an oncoming truck.
Your curiosity and insatiable need to understand, forced us to answer difficult questions and better understand the reasons behind them ourselves. Your strength and comforting hugs saw us through moments that were unspeakably painful. Your smile continues to bring light to our world.
And, good glob, we just love you so much.
Five was eventful, my Prince.
There were horrible allergies.
And your first class trips.
There were haircuts.
And bike rides galore.
I have no doubts that Six will be magnificent and wrought with new troubles that we'll fight our way through.
I was listening to you read me a story the other night, when I felt a rapacious need to interrupt you. After apologizing, I remarked; "I swear you were just a baby, Caesar. I blinked and now you're almost six, and I can't believe how much you've grown."
You glared at me with that familiar my. mother. is. nuts look, and replied; "Maybe you should stop blinking, Mommy!"
That sounds like a brilliant, and impossible, idea.
Happy Birthday, Caesar.
May your year be filled with the sort of joy that makes every single blink worth it.
We love you more than lollipops.
Reader Comments (14)
Happy Birthday Caesar! Do your mom a favor and stop growing!
If only he'd listen. :) Thank you!
Happy Birthday
Awww, this made me cry Monique! Happy Birthday Caesar, you brilliant little guy.
Happy Happy Birthday!!!! :D Hope he has a great day!!
What an amazing post! You have a beautiful family, and what a handsome little boy Caesar is! Happy Birthday!
Happiest of birthday wishes!!
My son will be 6 in Jan. Happy Birthday!!
Aww! Happy Birthday to your little man. My son turns 6 tomorrow.
Happy 6th birthday Caesar, lots of love coming from OHIO!
Holy cow! This was so sweet, I cried! Happy Birthday little man!
I absolutely love the post you write for the Minions' birthdays. They are so heartfelt and poignant, I'm always a little weepy by the end of them.
Happy Birthday Caesar! You are one well loved little boy.
"Maybe you should just stop blinking" aaaaah that will be my son telling me that some day! He is beautiful, happy birthday to a great little guy!
This is about the SWEETEST thing I've read! I don't have children, but my nephew (whom I'm very close to) is dear to me. They do grow up fast! Stopping by from SITS!