My oldest baby recently had a birthday. He's at the halfway mark to driving. I thought, at one time, that I would never have a child, much less an eight-year-old. He's drawing ever so close to that "tween" era. This is so unfair. I'm not even 31-years-old.
He likes video games. He says "dude." Farts are hysterical. Girls are weird, but not as weird as they were last year, and especially not that one in his co-op class. Don't dare call him cute; he prefers "cool." Can he also borrow my leg-shaving cream so he can shave his face with his plastic yellow razor?
Aside from all of this, he has a capability for compassion that quite literally stuns me into silence. He's kinder than most adults I know. Whenever I think that I can't be prouder of him he proves me wrong; I often find myself remarking in silent wonder, "How did I get so lucky?"
I sometimes ask myself if it's tougher to be his parent or for him to have me as a parent. I have rules and high expectations for his character; I want it to stretch and meet the bar his father and I have set for both boys. And he does. I have so much respect for him.
We went into this whole parenting thing with a couple of wits and a prayer. Of one thing we knew we were capable: the ability to love him more than anyone else in the world could love him. This continues to guide our actions.
In eight more years his social circle will be operating independent of ours. He'll start practicing for that day when he drives away for good. The most painful thing about starting a family so young is that they seem to grow up much too fast. Thankfully, we have years yet. I'm glad because while I gave him roots, I'm not quite ready to give him wings.
Some day.
Happy birthday, Liam.
xo
Sweet tribute to your son. Love the photo editing too.. :)
happy birthday, liam. it sounds like you are becoming a wonderful young man. just be really are with the razor, that face is too cute to scar up.
Happy Birthday to Liam.
How beautifully written. He will be super proud to have you as a parent too. He just doesn't kow it yet!
Happy Birthday~!
AND-he also has a great voice too! Love my grandson!
Wow, Dana. That was a beautiful post. I'm glad to hear that Liam had a Happy Birthday. I hopes he pulls a Peter Pan and stays young for a good long while. Growing up ain't what it's cracked up to be. Very cliche, but also true. I'm still a Toy's R Us kid...: )
Happy 8th! My daughter also turned 8 on March 28th..never thought about the fact that they are halfway to driving....!!!! :)
Dana~
Happy Birthday Liam! Dana, your birthday letters bring tears to my eyes, and they are not my children. My favorite quote was this "I sometimes ask myself if it's tougher to be his parent or for him to have me as a parent." I believe that is what we all wonder as a parent, but have no idea how to get it written as you do. Liam is an amazing kid :-)
Aw, that's a fantastic tribute to your boy. Happy birthday, Liam!
Happy birthday cool dude! Ditto on starting a family young but I am also happy I'll be young and hip (err, maybe not) when I have grandkids. Not that I'm rushing my own along. I'll take sleepless nights with infants over teens anyday.
happy birthday cool dude. hey, 31, and already have an 8 yr old, trust me, you'll feel good that he's older already when you hit 35. that's when the achy breaky knees break out.
mine's 7 still and i'm finishing up my thirties. so i wish sometimes i had them sooner. and sometimes i'm glad they're so young and keep me young. but i sure hope i feel great 10 years from now when they hit their teens and stuff really starts to hit the fan. aieee.
anyway, he sounds like a great kid.
What a beautiful post, Dana! Liam sounds like a great kid - but with all the love you express for him, it's really no wonder.
Happy birthday, young man.
I also have a son's 8--no, eek he's 9! I couldn't believe when I read your post because it echoes so much of my own experience--to have such a compassionate, generous son; to be so lucky; thinking it's harder to have me as a mom than being his parent. It gives me hope that our future is in good hands.