I know I shouldn't write that because I shouldn't read it to you as I traditionally do the birthday letters; your young ego probably can't handle the confirmation and you're not supposed to call first graders bad asses (to their face), I'm pretty sure.
But there's just no other good description of the force that is you. You shine with confidence and charisma, you live and love fearlessly, you explore and examine the world with certainty. You're incredible. You're a sponge for information and a finder of lost treasures and an enthusiast of the mundane like bugs and sticks and rocks.
You are also so sweet. The other day I kissed your face and you told me that you get tears in your eyes when I do that. This morning, before you were even fully awake, you asked me to wake your brother so you could get a birthday hug and kiss, it was foremost in your mind. You hug and hold hands and snuggle with intensity. Sometimes I call you my parasitic twin...but every day I know I am blessed beyond measure to have such love in my life.
And such adventure! Who else would see 10 mythical skunk apes during our short skunk ape expedition in the everglades? Who else had to fight off herds of unseen stingrays at the beach house? Who else creates elaborate traps of rope and string to catch whatever may creep through our living areas? You find adventure in everything and that is so admirable and interesting, I am convinced the world must be a brighter place through your eyes.
And ours is a brighter place because you're in it.
Happy 6th Birthday, little kid. Thanks for the love, the hugs, the laughter, the tears, the adventure, the dirt and those little containers of captured bugs I find everywhere. Thanks for being you.
I like you, I love you and I'll always protect you,
Mom
(PS I could live without the bugs.)
