13

Ace,

You turn 13 today. Just yesterday you were toddling around the house and picking up the dog's water bowl to drink out of before we could stop you. How quickly that time has passed. Perhaps for the best, as the dog's were somewhat territorial. I look into those magical hazel eye of yours and see both the child you were and the man you are becoming and it amazes me what an incredible person I share this space with. Every day I marvel at your empathy and capacity for love. When I'm not trying to strangle you for deliberately irritating your sister, that is.

When you smile, your eyes glow with an inner delight that has always been such an elemental part of your nature. I can still hear the echo of your belly laughs as you pulled the socks from your feet and threw them out of the car window as we commuted to Nana's every day. I think you have issues with socks as you loose them or destroy them with equal glee. You always find something to laugh about and that will help you through any tough times as you grow.

One of my favorite things is when you want to hang out and snuggle in the evening. This is your favorite time to talk and I have to remember that the dishes and laundry can wait but you can't. Every day you have something interest to share and discuss and I don't want to miss out on any of it. It warms my heart that you hug me when I come home from work every day. It makes me proud when I see you mow the lawn for Pop-pop because it reflects your willingness to help, even though you certainly like to get paid for that task. You make my day when you send me a text message just to say hello. We won't mention that it is probably because you love to use text messaging now that we finally caved in and gave you a phone of your own.

It never fails to amaze me how much food you can consume considering how lean you are. If only I had your metabolism. A huge pile of food on your plate for dinner and you're still hungry in an hour. How is it possible I can still count your ribs with the amount of food you eat? Your recent obsession with your "four-pack" abs makes me chuckle when you tell me how all the girls like them at school. Do you lift your shirt during the day to get a consensus from the girls in class? Your lightning grin when I ask this makes me think you most certainly do!

The innate friendliness you display always amazes me as you never hesitate to reach out to people you don't know or join a group of kids somewhere. You must get this from your Dad as I am notoriously anti-social. Never hesitating to pull others together and sticking up for the ones left out is also a testament to your integrity and empathy. I hope you never loose that inner confidence.

I hope you always remain true to yourself. The boy I see before me is smart, capable of whatever he focuses on and has a heart as pure and kind as any I have seen.


Happy 13th Birthday.

Love Mom