An excerpt of a two part letter to my son. I don't share these letters very often, but I felt like sharing these. It's been neat watching Benaiah's personality really shape and develop.
Benaiah,
The past couple months have been a total blast with
you. I have absolutely loved every
stage, but recently, you are too much fun.
You are pulling yourself up, crawling around and just flat out like to
laugh. I love how I see your little
personality come out; and personality you have!
My favorite thing right now is you like to sit in your jumper, jump like
crazy, and grab the straps and yell as loud as possible. Love that no one taught you fight, drive or
intensity. For you that appears to be
God - given :) You also are so sweet,
not a cuddler often, but when, and only when YOU choose, you will just lay your
sweet little head on my shoulder. It's
in those moments, my heart melts a million times over. You are the most chill, laidback baby I have
ever met. Not that I know many. But you don't let a lot phase you. People say you get that from your dad. I'd agree.
Not that I can't be laid back, but your dad is definitely that by
nature. You have also developed a bit of
bashfulness which in turn makes you all the more sweet. You are curious, convinced, of course, that
everyone's nose honks. You are not shy,
just so long as you find yourself in my arms, you are willing to be around a
myriad of people and personalities. You
like to observe and watch others, but when in the right mood, you like to make
others keenly aware of your presence.
You like to make others laugh.
Strike that. Love. You love to make others laugh and enjoy a
round of laughter yourself. You embody
joy and light heartedness. Half the
time, you get a giggle out of me and start giggling yourself. Many times that laugh turns into your head
going back and not having a care in the world.
Maybe that's why I love spending so much time with you. Things are simple. I tickle you, play peek-a-boo and you
laugh. No, I would love spending time
with you no matter what. :) You love books, especially edible ones. You are going to smart. I can already tell. Yesterday, I taught you the "sign"
for more and by the end of your dinner, you nailed it. Thatta boy.
But smart or not, because you are mine, I will always love you and
everything that you are.
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Benaiah,
Tonight we had the opportunity to go visit Auntie Abbie's parents. Her dad, Randy, is dealing with leukemia, so along with dinner, I brought them you. It's amazing the joy a baby can bring, especially such a happy one like you. Now I've known Randy and Karla for many years, but never have I seen Randy look the way he did tonight. You could clearly see the side effects of cancer on his body. While in my mind, I was hoping that wouldn't scare you, you showed no signs of fear. In fact, when I brought you over to his bedside, I slowly introduced you to him. Randy greeted you with a fist pump and that immediately brought a smile to your face. Realizing he was friendly, you warmed up to him. The sweetest thing happened when I set you by his bedside, you tightly clinging on to his rails (and loving it), Randy slipped his hand down beside yours and you grabbed his finger in a very curious manner. I was so proud of you. I know you don't know, but I pray that you keep that same desire to touch people when they are hurting, to share love when they need some joy. I don't know that you'll ever have the privilege of meeting Randy, but tonight when we left, Randy said, "I love you, Benaiah". And I thought what a difference you made in his day. This was the first time you had met him, outside of your pictures on their refrigerator, he had never seen you. But because of your fearlessness and willingness, you blessed another tonight. So proud of you. I pray that courage in you is never silenced.
Love you,
Mommy
