Aaron is SEVEN today

Well, yesterday was the last day I’m ever going to have a six year old boy.

Aaron, you have grown so much (literally and figuratively) in the last year!  You amaze me on so many levels, you are so witty and smart and caring and lovable.  But you are also so hard on yourself, a perfectionist.  You despise being told what to do.  You like to figure stuff out yourself, but tend to ‘give up’ if you don’t get it right the first time.  I know this is something you will learn to overcome as you get older and your abilities catch up with your desire to achieve.

Sometimes I wish I could know what is going on in your head.  I wish I could help you process the world.  I know that your thoughts are not just childish ramblings.  Thank you for trusting me, for confiding in me, for letting me be part of your complicated and fascinating universe.  I just pray that it can stay this way.

Please don’t stop asking me, ‘Is it warm or cold or hot today’ every morning.  Don’t stop climbing onto my lap and hiding yourself in my gown and ‘cutting’ my hair.  Don’t stop questioning the world around you.  Keep asking, learning, trusting and discovering.

I love you that hurts.  My desire to protect you is insane.  God give me the strength to let go when I need to so that you can grown into an indapendant, successful young man.

Happy Birthday Aaron Michael Steenkamp!