To Daniel

Today you are seven years old, Daniel.

As I've watched you grow and change over the years, I feel as though I have known dozens of Daniels: from the tiny baby I carried inside me to the newborn who filled my arms as well as my heart; from the active toddler who never stopped exploring his world to the inquisitive preschooler who always wanted to know why and how; and now you, my tall, capable seven-year-old son.

Daniel, I love you. I love your silky, beautifully blond hair that sticks up in odd tufts on your head. I love the way you look at the world with unflagging interest through your blue-grey eyes. I love how you move your body with confidence and agility, whether running or jumping or climbing.

I love your hugs.

I love your curiosity, your imagination, and your intelligence. I am in awe of your ability to figure out how something works just by looking at it.

I love the way you still like me to hold you on the couch for a few minutes and call you my first baby, even though your long legs now dangle to the floor.

I love watching you build one of your K'nex creations, your intense concentration as you look from the diagrams to your box of K'nex, sifting through the box to find the necessary piece and then easily snapping it into place.

I love to hear you laugh.

I love reading some of my favorite books to you. I love the fact that you love it, too, and always remind me if I forget.

I love that you still want me to send a note in your lunchbox. Knowing that one day you will be embarrassed if I send you a note in your lunch makes it all the more precious to me.

When I get angry at you, Dans, it is really me getting mad at myself, for you have the same faults as me: impatience and quickness to anger. Always remember that no matter how mad I might be, I will never stop loving you.

I wish I could put into words all the feelings I have when I look at you--my first baby, my oldest son--but the words do not come easily. All I can say is that I am proud of you and that I love you more than I can ever say.

Happy Birthday, Dans.

Love,

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