I was asked to write a letter to Jack about why he's special in honor of his role as "Student of the Week." I had trouble making the letter concise, because there is SO much to say about Jack.
I love my kids' birthdays even more than they do. I spend the day reminiscing about the different phases of their development, beginning with pregnancy. I love where we are now.
I remember dreaming about who you’d be. I was holding my big pregnant belly as you kicked away at my ribs and guts - OUCH! - and I was sure you’d be strong and strong-willed and maybe a little crazy; I was right. I also thought you’d have hazel eyes and freckles; I was wrong. You keep me guessing, Jack Thomas, and I am enjoying the ride!
Exactly six years ago at this time I was holding my brand new baby. I was stunned by the intensity of your gaze, your long eyelashes, and your deep blue eyes. Those are features that still stand out. From day one, I had the sense that we knew each other, that we’d figure it all out together, that you and I had a secret. I love having that bond with you, Jack; being your mom is amazing. I feel pride and happiness every day.
You are passionate and intense. You have a one-track mind. When you decide you love something, you love it to death. It started with All Things Trains: train sets, train t-shirts, Thomas the Train, “ding-dings,” and youtube.com train videos. I remember you, at three years old, turning on the computer and navigating the internet to find images and videos of crossing gates. Then you graduated to LEGOS, which you still obsess over; your room looks like the LEGO factory blew up.
You are imaginative and funny. You have a unique perspective on the world around you, and you have a great sense of humor. Remember your suit and tie phase? You spent the summer that you were four wearing a full three-piece suit every single day, complete with the briefcase and penny loafers, pretending to go to “work,” as an “emergency inspector.”
You are bright. You stun us with your photographic memory. You got a puzzle of the United States when you were two and started reciting the capitols not long after. Very frequently, you only need to be told something once, and you’ll remember it forever (which reminds us we better watch what we say around you!) I remember meeting some friends at the park just before your third birthday, and you named every make and model of the cars that pulled up. Before your second birthday, you alphabetized all the magnetic letters on the babysitter’s refrigerator, a task that her five-year-old was struggling with. Learning comes naturally to you, and that is an amazing gift.
And you drive me crazy sometimes with your stubbornness! You are SO head-strong and dominant, Jack. I am sure that those traits will take you far professionally (as an emergency inspector?! Police chief? LEGO engineer?), but they can be um, er…difficult to manage as your mom.
The years fly by. I still dream of who you’ll be, because even now that you’re here - big six-year-old! - you change so much all the time. I hear parents saying they wish they could stop time to keep their kids little, but I don’t have that feeling. I LOVE watching you grow and change, becoming more self-assured, generous, funny, and courageous. You are pure magic, Jack.
