Dear Parker,
It is the morning of your sister's 13th birthday. Jack is the only kid awake, quietly working a puzzle at the kitchen table. The streamers and balloons are hung, and the house waits in hushed anticipation. It's the perfect time to write your birthday post, which has been stewing in my mind for the last 6 months.
You and Maddie were born exactly 18 months apart, right down to the day. So every year, her birthday falls on your half birthday and vice versa. I have friends who celebrate their children's half birthdays with cute traditions like serving half a cake. That would never work for us because we'd end up with too much cake (as if there is such a thing). Also, I'd never want to take away from the specialness of someone's actual birthday.
So here we are. An early morning blog session. So many changes since last year...Where to begin?
Maybe with a global pandemic? We were returning from Spring Break at the Silver Spur Guest Ranch when we first began to understand the seriousness of Covid 19. We decided to stop at a store on the way home, as our friends in California warned us of shortages. We entered the Walmart and were shocked to see empty shelves. We arrived at home to learn school was cancelled indefinitely. Welcome to your 13th year.
Living in TX had its perks. The schools were determined to have students return safely (mandating masks, lines, barriers, etc.). After a few short weeks at home, school was back in session. You played football. You wrestled. You joined the weight lifting club and made it into the 400 club, lifting 4 times your body weight. You tried track and field for the first time and surprised us all as you sailed effortlessly over the bar. By the end of the year you had been chosen by the staff as the Rushing Middle School 7th Grade MVP receiving a trophy at the Athletic's Program Banquet.
But you are not just a jock. You always balanced school, sports, and your social life beautifully. You loved reading and painting figures. You had fantastic grades. You were a member of Hope Squad, (a student-nominated position where you helped fellow students get connected to each other and to professionals when needed). You were adored by your teachers and nominated for the Lone Star Leadership Academy (which you attended just after turning 14).
You always made time for friends and family, too. You often played airsoft with friends on the weekends. You recruited so many friends (and even a parent) to play, we thought D14 [airsoft company] should give you a discount. I loved watching all your friends spill into our hall on Saturdays, decked out in camo, and chatting up a storm. You guys would stow your lunches in the cooler, pile into the van, and begin your day long bro-fest.
For those friends who didn't enjoy airsoft, you would play playstation, shoot nerf guns, swim at the community pool or lagoon, hang out at the park, play basketball, you name it. You were (and are) a social butterfly.
You also made time for family. You played D & D online with Grandpa, Uncle Bob, and Cousin Bella. You hunted with dad. You swam with your siblings. You watched shows with mom.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that you are one of the most well-rounded 13 year old boys I've ever encountered. I have the benefit of hindsight as I write this. I know what the first 6 months of your 14th year hold. Spoiler alert: it's a doozy. I'm happy to report that you are still doing an amazing job at being an incredible human (despite the craziness of the last 6 months), but that post is for another day...
I love you so much, Parker. I'm so proud of you and happy to be your mom. Happy birthday (half a year late), dear boy.
Love,
Mom
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