to Eli Jackson on your tenth birthday...
My Eli Jackson,
You are ten. Double digits. It's hard for me to even wrap my head around.
You are one of a kind. A gem, my sweet boy. You are one of the kindest souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and you had my heart from the very first moment. You were born at 12:28 a.m. on May 28, 2008, and weighed exactly 8 pounds. I only had the opportunity to hold you for a moment before you before you were rushed off to the NICU with fluid in your lungs. I remember a single tear falling down my cheek before I fell asleep from absolute exhaustion. It would be seven hours before I would see you again. I remember being so nervous and concerned as I was told by the nurse that you had been "grunting" since you came out. I approached you covered in tubes and hooked up to machines, as I was fighting off tears. The instant I placed my hand on your back, the grunting stopped... for good. The nurse smiled and said he just needed his momma. And then I knew that everything would be okay. It would be an incredibly long week in the hospital, but what a blur that seems like now. We welcomed you home and your changed our hearts and lives forever.
There's so many things I could say about you, but the biggest thing that stands out is your heart. You have such an ability to care about people. You love big. You always know when someone needs a hug or an "I love you". You always desire to do the right thing and you love to help people. Though you're often introverted and quiet, one of my favorite things is hearing what you have to say. It fascinates me to hear what is going on in that sweet mind of yours. I love spending time with you and watching you grow into such an incredible young man.
You and Silas have been the best of friends since you were born. You have been inseparable. You are an incredible big brother to Jeremiah and Eva and I absolutely love watching you with them. You are the best brother, son, and friend. I love that no matter what, we just get each other. We are so much alike and operate so similarly, that we are able to have the best conversations... even when they're hard.
You love to learn and have grown to adore reading. You always read in the car, at school any chance you get, and I often find you in your room with your nose in a book. You started jiu jitsu this year and I'm so proud of how you're learning and pushing through, even when it's challenging. You're growing stronger by the day! You are also growing more independent. Though I love how you are so easy going and my little peace maker, I also love that you are learning to speak up for yourself and have your own voice. I have always had a soft spot for you, being the middle, because that's not the easiest role. We have always called you our Eli Jackson sandwich - the perfect middle. I believe God gave you that role for a reason.
In this next year, I pray you come to know and love God more. I pray you continue to gain confidence in who you are in Him and what He can do through you. There is no doubt in my mind that you are so special. Your heart, your compassion, your empathy - is a gift. Use it for Him! I couldn't imagine a world without you, my sweet Eli Jackson. I love you more than I could ever say. I hope you have the best birthday in the world and your best year yet. You will forever be my sunshine!
All my heart,
Mom
You are ten. Double digits. It's hard for me to even wrap my head around.
You are one of a kind. A gem, my sweet boy. You are one of the kindest souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and you had my heart from the very first moment. You were born at 12:28 a.m. on May 28, 2008, and weighed exactly 8 pounds. I only had the opportunity to hold you for a moment before you before you were rushed off to the NICU with fluid in your lungs. I remember a single tear falling down my cheek before I fell asleep from absolute exhaustion. It would be seven hours before I would see you again. I remember being so nervous and concerned as I was told by the nurse that you had been "grunting" since you came out. I approached you covered in tubes and hooked up to machines, as I was fighting off tears. The instant I placed my hand on your back, the grunting stopped... for good. The nurse smiled and said he just needed his momma. And then I knew that everything would be okay. It would be an incredibly long week in the hospital, but what a blur that seems like now. We welcomed you home and your changed our hearts and lives forever.
There's so many things I could say about you, but the biggest thing that stands out is your heart. You have such an ability to care about people. You love big. You always know when someone needs a hug or an "I love you". You always desire to do the right thing and you love to help people. Though you're often introverted and quiet, one of my favorite things is hearing what you have to say. It fascinates me to hear what is going on in that sweet mind of yours. I love spending time with you and watching you grow into such an incredible young man.
You and Silas have been the best of friends since you were born. You have been inseparable. You are an incredible big brother to Jeremiah and Eva and I absolutely love watching you with them. You are the best brother, son, and friend. I love that no matter what, we just get each other. We are so much alike and operate so similarly, that we are able to have the best conversations... even when they're hard.
You love to learn and have grown to adore reading. You always read in the car, at school any chance you get, and I often find you in your room with your nose in a book. You started jiu jitsu this year and I'm so proud of how you're learning and pushing through, even when it's challenging. You're growing stronger by the day! You are also growing more independent. Though I love how you are so easy going and my little peace maker, I also love that you are learning to speak up for yourself and have your own voice. I have always had a soft spot for you, being the middle, because that's not the easiest role. We have always called you our Eli Jackson sandwich - the perfect middle. I believe God gave you that role for a reason.
In this next year, I pray you come to know and love God more. I pray you continue to gain confidence in who you are in Him and what He can do through you. There is no doubt in my mind that you are so special. Your heart, your compassion, your empathy - is a gift. Use it for Him! I couldn't imagine a world without you, my sweet Eli Jackson. I love you more than I could ever say. I hope you have the best birthday in the world and your best year yet. You will forever be my sunshine!
All my heart,
Mom
1 Comments
The moment I saw a picture of Eli, I thought how much he looked like his mommy. So many time during my visits I would sit and look at E because it was like looking at Melissa as a child. Not only do you look like your mommy, but your personality and heart for others is very similar. It’s understandable that she would get you because you are so similar.
ReplyDeleteI love you to the moon and back and cherish every single moment that God enables us to visit.
Happy Birthday, Eli.
Mamaw