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