A Thank You to My Son's Mother

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes." 

~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

"We've begun to raise daughters more like sons... but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters." 

~Gloria Steinem

"Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy."

~Author Unknown

Abi is EIGHT!!!

I find it interesting how certain birthdays seem to hit me more emotionally  than others. This one is a bit of a milestone for me.  This past March was our 4 year anniversary of bringing Abi and Hana home.  Abi was almost 4 years old at that time. Now he is 8.  He has "officially" been a part of our family longer than he was NOT a part of it.  That makes me feel incredibly blessed and sad at the same time.  These are the days that I can't help but think about his first mommy.  The mommy that bore him and nursed him, that cradled his soft head and breathed in that sweet-baby-smell.  The mommy that held his tiny hand while he took his first steps, heard his first words.  The mommy that was only given 2 short years to love on him.

These past four years, I have been the mommy to snuggle him at night, kiss his hurts, dry his tears. I have been the mommy who witnessed him learn an entirely new language and develop his love for animals, soccer and bey blades.  I'm the mommy that gets to help him comb his 'fro, listen to him read, and feel his arms snug around my neck.  I can't begin to explain the amount of joy this little boy has brought us and how very much I hope his first mommy is looking down on him, proud of him.

She has much to be proud of.

Abi is one of the sweetest boys you'll ever meet. His love for people runs deep. He very rarely says or does hurtful things.  He cares about feelings and emotions.  He is the first one to gravitate toward a baby or an elderly person.  He is a connector.  

He is not an organized, detail-oriented person. Often he is ... well, flaky. :)  He just isn't terribly fussed about putting his papers in his folder, turning in his homework daily (even though it's finished!), or keeping track of his shoes or coat.  But he does see the value in relationships, the beauty in a tadpole, and the fun that is just waiting to be had. 

Abi loves bright colors. He is not very worried about "girl" colors or "boy" colors. He enjoys it all.  He is enamored with his "big fluffy" hair (what he used to call his afro when he was little) and hates to have it cut. He is much more worried about having a good time than winning and he dislikes being alone.  He has the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen and knows how to make grown women melt with a look.  He is incredibly forgiving and simply wants to be loved.

Love that boy.

I am so thankful that - in an imperfect world where first mommies don't always get the opportunity to raise their children - that I was fortunate enough to be Abi's mom. He can drive me incredibly crazy, but he can always make me feel loved and adored in a way that my other children rarely do. He is my one (and currently only) son and he will always have a very special place in my heart.  He opened my eyes and heart in so many ways. I could never say thank you enough.

He is a gift.