I'm Amazed By You

Son,

I am amazed by you every day.  You are so different than I am.  I am able to learn so many lessons from watching you be who you naturally are.  It surprises me that I could raise a boy who has so many qualities that I have so often wished that I possessed.  I am proud that you are being who God made you to be.  I hope that you never stop doing that.  Life is hard, and things will make you want to act differently, become a different person.  But, at your soul, always remember that you possess these qualities that I admire in you.  

You are not afraid of new things.  You just hopped off my lap to run up and speak a mouse voice into a microphone in front of a large group of strangers in the picture above.  You are not shy in front of a group of people.  I am proud that you are willing to branch out and experience new things.  I wish I could do that so effortlessly.

You LOVE animals.  I am a person who would stay away from animals the rest of my life if possible.  I don't like their dirtiness, I don't like their odd, unpredictable behavior.  You remind me daily that God created all of these animals for a reason.  You desire to learn more about every animal you cross paths with.  You are kind, gentle, and patient with each new animal you meet.  I wish I had your loving heart towards God's creations.  

You love being outdoors.  You don't mind the heat, or bugs.  Sweat or snow never bother you.  I, on the other hand, love being inside with air conditioning or heat.  I despise sweating, and really don't like all the itchy bugs.  You love to explore and create games with all the nature outside.  I have always been more content to sit on the couch and read a book.  Thank you for slowly teaching me to appreciate the nature around me.  

You are not afraid of crowds.  You jump right into any situation.  Here you are, at the STL Zoo.  While I waited in the back for the crowd to subside so I wouldn't have to rub elbows with strangers, you hopped right up to the fence, never noticing that you were right in the middle of a crowd of people you had never seen before.  

You are so very creative.  You can create games (like the one above including a discarded box, movie cases, and action figures) with anything.  You have "levels" that you beat.  You have voices for each character and sound effects galore.  You can play by yourself for hours.  I love your imagination.  I have always needed something or someone right there with me to explain the rules or the game to me.  You are a free spirit who can create an awesome game in the snap of a finger!