Love, more

I return to this completely ignored space to acknowledge my twin boys' 17h birthday.  This is a long post but they each deserve their own letter. 

August 22, 2017

Dear son,

One day you came home from your job at a local supermarket a bit bummed out.  It took a while to get out of you that someone paid you back.

It seems you always keep coins and a couple of dollars in your pocket in case someone doesn't have enough to pay for their groceries.  One day a costumer was short $6.  You managed to pull $6 out of your pocket (mind you I'm always being asked to pay for the Dunkin' Donuts run but we'll let that slide) and help her.  She promised to return and pay you back and you told her not to worry.

You both meant what you said.

She returned a week or so later and slipped $6 while you were standing at the manager's desk and you couldn't stop her. You meant it when you said that she shouldn't worry.

I love that you came home a bit sad that she felt she needed to pay you back because you didn't think it was a debt or an obligation but simply helping out.

Because that is what kind people do.

I'm lucky that such a kind person is my son.

Happy birthday not-so-little man. 
I love you,
Mom

****

Dear son,

You have had more injuries in the last few months then I care to count.  So I won't.

However, watching you during your latest x-ray and follow-up orthopedist's appointment gave me pause.  You were called into the x-ray and I sat in the waiting area as you disappeared down the hall since I assumed you would conduct yourself in an appropriate manner.

What I didn't expect was five people following after you once the x-ray was finished, laughing at your comments, wishing you luck because you had told them stories and marveling as you left them.

You strutted into the next office and both men and women smiled as you charmed them, told stories and convinced them you had done your PT exercises (cough, cough you hadn't done a single one).

Son, you have a charisma that is intoxicating, that makes people want to follow you.  Please use that for good.  Please use that to make the world better, to make people safe, to make everyone you meet know that there is goodness.

Because I know that is what is in you.

Happy birthday not-so-little man.

I love you,
Mom

Happy Birthday, Happiness

Dear Darling Daughter,

You were wearing a new dress the other day paired with gold high-top sneakers.   You loved how you looked and strutted with confidence. We walked by several girls we knew and one of them yelled out "you look nice in that dress!"  You said a genuine "thank you" in reply and kept walking towards our car.

The exchange gnawed at me for 10-15 minutes until I finally couldn't take it.

"Do you think she was sincere?" I asked while driving.

Those girls have been mean to you, off and on, for several years.  While this one girl seemed genuine with her compliment, the others appeared to be smirking and hiding their faces during the exchange.

You shrugged.  "I don't care if it was or not.  I don't let them bother me."

Honestly I, and many other adults I know, need your assurance, bravery and cavalier outlook.  You have a confidence that just floors me.

Your pediatrician has often said that you are going to be fine as an adult, that we just have to get you through the teen years.

I'm starting to think you're going to be just fine as a teenager too.

Happy Birthday to you, my teenage daughter.  I think 13 is going to be a lucky year for you.

I love you,
Mom