November 7, 2014
Dearest Elliot,
Happy 3rd
birthday!!! Another year has gone by
and you remain continually blessed!
Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to have you as our son. You’re such a good boy. You have a contagious smile. A friendly spirit. A caring soul. Your laugh can brighten anyone’s day.
Each year
as I prepare to write you your birthday letter, I like to take a “look back” to
see how far you have come in the past year.
I then decided to go a bit further and see what I had written since the
very beginning of this “project.” I
have written over a dozen letters to you so far and it’s neat to imagine you
many years from now possibly reading them to your wife, or your own
children. You’re growing up so fast. Too fast.
My letters to you include the following topics: listening to your heart, things you have
taught me, forms of love, forgiveness, curiosity, happiness, exploring,
friendship, the story behind your name and your existence, the importance of
remaining forever young, Ireland, laughter, and learning.
After
looking back on letters I have written, I decided to take a look back on this
year in photos. You experienced so
much in one year! And it dawned on me…
that your experiences were all special things, but simple things. Assateague Island, Berry Picking, Car Shows,
Caverns, Christmas, Church, Horses, having a pet Lizard, riding your first
train in Jim Thorpe, Snow, being in a wedding, going to the zoo…. So many experiences! Mommy & Daddy aren’t necessarily
rolling in the dough. We don’t drive
fancy cars. We don’t have super fancy
things. We can’t afford to go on a
cruise or to Disney World. But what we
do have is we have love. We have true
happiness. We all take joy in the
simple things.
It took me
a while to think of what my message to you would be this year. You are so bright. You are a sponge for knowledge. As you continue to grow you are starting to
get a true grasp on not only what is right and what is wrong, but you are
learning about faith and your Church.
You are growing in faith and you don’t even know it. Faith is believing in things you don’t
necessarily see. I want you to know
that as you get older, you will feel tested.
You will have moments where you feel so very stressed out. In those moments, I urge you to not only
come to Daddy and I … but to turn to God.
God is like the wind… always present.
You might not always feel Him…. But he is there. You are blessed with two parents who not
only love you very much, but Mommy and Daddy love each other very much. We will ALWAYS be here for you. And if for any reason you can’t come to us –
we urge you to go to your Godparents or your Pastors. These are people you can count on to steer
you in the right direction when you feel lost.
And my sweet boy, as much as I don’t want to admit it, there WILL be
times where you feel lost.
Elliot, it
is important for you to understand that faith is more than just knowledge about
God. It is more than just saying you
love Jesus. It is more than just doing
the right thing. Faith is all
encompassing. Faith is knowing Jesus,
loving Jesus, and following Jesus.
Being a Christian is a whole body affair. It’s your mind, body, spirit, thought, word,
deed and act. It affects your head,
heart, feet and voice. Your father and I
hope and pray that you continue your quest to know and understand God. At such a young age, you are already filled
with such Grace.
There were
many times in my past where I wasn’t so sure in mind that you would come. But in my heart, I had faith. I knew
I was destined to be a Mommy. I was destined
to be your Mommy. I kept faith and kept
faithful to God. Mommy and Daddy prayed
very hard for you. Before we knew it,
you were on your way.
My sweet son, you are a Child of
God. You will ALWAYS be a Child of
God. NOTHING can change that. For the past three years I have not missed
one day… I tell you every day that you are my love and you are my joy. You are my greatest blessing. On this, your 3rd birthday, I
want you to know that you are a true testament to the beauty of faith. God has blessed me. I am honored to be your Mommy. Grow in your faith my sweet boy, continue
to blossom and shine. Trust in God
always. And know that you are loved very much. You are an answer to my prayers, and I know
God has wonderful things in store for you.
Keep the faith. I love you.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mommy
