Dear Pat,
You are officially an online baby now! Your birth, 14 years ago today, was announced on my blog (https://wander-world.blogspot.com/2008/04/from-heart.html) and every year since then I have posted a blog, a picture, a ... some sort of an entry about your existence. You better behave: there will be a record for it somewhere and you might not get elected to Prime Minister.
I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday, really. I was waiting for a phone call any minute to hear that you made it into this crazy world. Your dad called and congratulated me for being an aunt. I was speechless. With joy, emotion, and an infinite love that split my heart right open and inundated my whole body with this warm, safe, comfortable feeling of happiness. I was an aunt, but you ... ?! You were here! You were real! You were no longer your mommy’s plan, nor in her tummy anymore. You were here, (almost) two months earlier than expected and you were going to get this life thing started, no matter what.
Over the years, I have always looked to keep that light, that joy, that unbridled happiness in my heart every time I see and think of you. Every time I hear about some new accomplishment you have made, some new adventure you embarked on, I look to associate you and your endeavor with the light and the happiness you brought into this world. Not only for me and your entire family, but for the world itself. I knew on your first day that you have so much promise packed in that tiny, premature body of yours. Your fight to breathe, to grow, to mature was fearless - I look for that in every day of your life. I wish nothing more in this world than for you to be aware of the amazing being that you have brought into this world - to see this as clear as we see it, too.
You have given us all those things over the years and so much more.
Through the challenges of growing up, maturing, fitting in, finding your own voice (literally and figuratively) you have remained that pure, innocent, good baby that you were on your first day on this planet. You have stayed curious and interested. Engaged and energetic. More than anything, you have stayed empathetic and caring to everyone around you.
I have loved watching you grow into an almost young adult now (back when I was your age, I got my first legal ID in Romania - I was an “official” member of society). Just like you came into this world early, by your own schedule, you move through the world at the rhythm of your own drum. Your originality and your “system” makes sense to you and although we may not always agree with it, we can see that in the end you surely know what you’re doing ... Most times.
I am always looking forward to your next adventure, to your next project. Will it be another game meant for kids older than your age that you crack in no time flat? Or will it be a new recipe you want to try? Or will it be a new art project (a sculpture or a painting or a drawing or something you build from nothing) that you’ll ace and maybe sell for cash? Will it be a new podcast or a new improv play? I never know, but I know it’ll be done well and from your heart and I know I will love it.
On your birthday, I wish you these:
- Always make the world matter. Make your presence in this world matter. Whether you will be the Prime Minister or a second-grade teacher, a stock broker or a clown - whatever it is - be amazing, be excellent, be the best that you can be. God put you on this planet for a reason - once you find that reason, make the best and the most of it. It's the only way!
- Don’t ever lose your ingenuity and sense of wonder ...
- Don’t ever lose your sense of self. There is no one like you in the whole world and I have seen a lot in my “old age” (as your brother tells me) and you are pretty darn cool. As long as you do you, you’ll always come ahead. I promise you!
- Don’t ever lose your curiosity and your desire to learn new things. There is so much to learn and you won’t have time in a whole lifetime to learn it all - use this time wisely and know as much as possible.
- Don’t ever stop putting yourself in others’ shoes: think about how others feel and try to be there for them, especially when they are broken. You have done this so well and effortlessly as a child, don’t let adulthood put the doubt of bias in it and don’t shy away to help others.
- Don’t ever, ever, ever stop having fun! Life is serious, stern, and at times gut-wrenching. Squeeze every minute of fun out of it that you can. You have been able to always light up a room and put a smile on people’s faces. Don’t ever lose that!
- ... and lastly, never stop sharing it all (your thoughts, your love, your compassion) with everyone around you. The world needs more of your thoughtfulness, your respect for the weak, and your kindness ... Always share that and life will return it to you ten-fold.
Happy birthday, sweet child! I am not saying “young man” because you will forever be my sweet child ... no matter how old.
Love you to eternity and further ...
Your “cool” aunt.
PS: also remember to feed Eevee and make your bed, too. ;-)
No comments:
Post a Comment