My sweet middle son. I met you on August 20, 2014. It wasn’t my ideal date to give birth, but now when I think of the month of August, I think of you. But that’s not where your story began. No, it started with what I thought was a faulty pregnancy test that couldn’t possibly say “pregnant” just three months after we decided we’d like more kids. I learned that night in our old camper I was, in fact, pregnant….you said “ready or not Momma here I come” and that’s been your life’s motto since.
That day I met you in August forever changed me. You came into this world with fire in your spirit and an independence you have spent each day cultivating. The doctors were amazed by you and your ability to hold the umbilical cord clamps (and not let go) before you were even cleaned. You spent your first night in the hospital bassinet next to me, humming yourself to sleep. You couldn’t be bothered with a pacifier when there was music to be made, and you still hum as you fall asleep to this day. At 24 hours old you thought it was a great idea to hold up your head and take a look at your new world. We were amazed from the very beginning by you.
Callahan my child, you were so easy to raise in those earliest years. I was so afraid of how I would handle two small children with Daddy gone all the time, but you came with a laid-back demeanor that made life float on with ease. After you began walking, you’d climb into your bed and put yourself down for naps. The polar opposite of your older brother, who, by the way, has loved you fiercely from day one. I prayed for you so that you two would have one another for years and God was so good to answer that prayer.
The years have flown by and they haven’t always been kind to you. I’m thankful for your young memory that most of your trials you cannot recall. The fact you have vivid memories of the Blackhawk that landed in our flooded yard and details of Tedra’s house is baffling. You were only 2 years old.
Today you are 7 years old. It’s hard to even write that. You should still be 3 watching WWE in your underwear mimicking the entrances of each wrestler. You may still do that, but you’ve grown up on me. You love animals, baseball, your brothers, pajamas, salad, your family, and a simple life. You are a firecracker, to say the least. As I said, there is a fire in your spirit that I cannot explain. You have the determination that a small boy should have, and it sends me back to my own childhood as I see the resemblance of that determination that was once in me. The kind of determination you need to be a fighter to get what you want because although size matters not, some need reminded. You look just like your Daddy and at times act like him too. Embrace it though, those are good qualities to have. Your heart is gold and oh so pure. Your tongue can be bold, but it comes from your mind which is so very sharp. You make us laugh each day and keep me on the edge of my seat as to what quip may come out of your mouth next. When you’re ready for anything, we all better be because you’re already on the way. You are usually kind enough to ask “yeti?” Yes, son, we’re ready. I hope the world is “yeti” for what you have to bring now that you are 7. You are my southpaw, the one who has to sit on a certain side of the booth so we don’t knock elbows when we eat and who smears his handwriting. You aren’t a huge fan of chocolate, but Pop’s pies are your favorite. You are my child who looks at me and says “try me” with any challenge brought forth. Your confidence is lacking not and your competitive nature is amusing until you lose. We’ll work on that.
My birthday wish for you isn’t a wish but more of a prayer. I pray you keep that strong mindset, your spirit, your fire and drive, your wit, and most importantly, your loving nature. Happy Birthday Callahan John. I love you more than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.
Love, Momma
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