Before he fell asleep tonight, Auggie asked to say prayers together on his last night of being 11. I scooped his head under my arm, and listened while he whispered:
Thank you for everything that I have and the lessons I learned this year.
Thank you for the mom I have and my dad and brothers.
Thank you that my Auntie Adrian is here to visit me for my birthday.
Thank you that we have fun and that tomorrow is my birthday with my family.
Thank you for all the things I have.
Amen.
I kissed his forehead and told him that that was one of the best prayers I have ever heard. I stayed with him until I heard the soft shift in his breathing, *six minutes, tops*, then I went downstairs and began decorating and wrapping. By 1:00 AM, we were ready for tomorrow's celebration. Crepe paper streamers, ribbons strung around banners, surprises wrapped in rainbow colored paper.
When everything looked just right, I went up to bed and in the darkness, I softly spoke my own words of thanks.
Thank you for the gift of this son.
Thank you for all that I have, it is so much.
Help me to be worthy of all you've given me.
Help me to never forget to be grateful, and to always remember this is what I dreamed of.
Early tomorrow, I'll hear Auggie knock on our door. He'll rush to the bed and I'll hold him inside my arms. I'll close my eyes and press my face against the warmth of his tousled curls. Inhaling his very existence, I'll whisper to him, Happy birthday, baby.
Happy birthday, sweet Auggie.
I can't wait for today, when we celebrate that you were born.
I'll keep hugging him and kiss his tender cheek. I'll look face on into his dark-lashed green hazel eyes, and remind him over and over again today, how happy I am that he is here.
* * *
Happy Birthday, Auggie!
ReplyDeleteHow sweetly these utterances of heart echo. Your love for your son and our Father shines radiantly through you. He's blessed to have such a wonderful mom whose faith has inspired and shaped him into who he is. Celebrate indeed. Happy Birthday, Auggie.
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy Birthday Baby E!!!!! (wait, you aren't too old for that name now are you?)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful boy takes after his mother.
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy Birthday, Auggie!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, everyone! He's walking around the table, thrilled that he can only identify 3 of the gifts and the other ones have him baffled!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy Birthday! What a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to a beautiful young man who gives me hope for the future!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet, happy, and hopeful. I felt so full of gratitude and happiness reading this post. Happy Birthday, Auggie.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! He loves to stretch out the day and does that by beginning early!
ReplyDeletesmiles...it is a lovely prayer...and happy birthday! hope he (and the fam) have a wonderful day of celebration...
ReplyDeletefirst day of spring break here...woot.
You're an amazing Mom, and he is a wonderful boy. Happy Bday, Auggie!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Auggie! What a beautiful prayer. May this next year bring you love, laughter and good health.
ReplyDeleteHe is absolutely a testament to the love you give him in this life. For him to thank everything he is blessed with...beautiful. Not a lot of kids reflect at all of the wonderful things that surround them.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Auggie
He is such an amazing boy who is a testament to the mom that you are. Happy birthday Auggie!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your sweet boy. I love your family.
ReplyDeletePS Can you be my birthday decoration wrangler? We are THE WORST family at this. But maybe that's part of our charm?
XOXO
Thank you for your birthday wishes, everyone. We had a great day and my sister is here visiting, making everything just a bit more fun. xo
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your little boy!
This is so incredibly sweet :) Happy happy birthday, Auggie! Hope it was the best one yet--what a wonderful family you have.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
What a wonderful post. The love of a mom is so full. :)
ReplyDelete