Dear Jackson,
Happy Birthday! Five years! It was touch and go there for the first year of your life but I'm sure glad we kept you. Your entrance in to our lives five years ago was a joy, but a challenge, as you showed me just how hard kids could be. I never dreamed you would transform into the easygoing child I now have.
Your teachers always tell me how sweet you are, and it's true, you are such a sweet soul. You're sensitive and I almost always regret when I speak to you harshly, like yesterday when I reprimanded you for chewing six pierces of gum at one time. Nobody had give you the gum rules and it broke my heart to see your face crumple. Thank you for teaching me softness, something I'm still working hard on.
Though you're sweet and sensitive, you have toughness and grit. I'll never forget when we were testing you for food allergies, and you were probably a young three year old. If getting a shot is a 5 on potential trauma, having blood drawn is a 9. You didn't flinch when the nurse poked your vain and you stood there stone-faced as she drew the blood. I think I promised you a treat of some sort and you were focused on your mission. She mentioned inviting you back for a training session for teenagers and adults. Though I hope football is not the sport you choose, you are one solid force and I can't wait for the day you take Brady down.
You truly are the best brother any sibling could ask for and I am reminded each day that I must have done something good in my life to get two brothers who mesh so well. You literally mesh together at night it your beds and your personalities do too. Your new birthday watch is set so you know when Brady is getting off the bus, so you don't have to quiz me every four minutes. You indulge Brady with most of his requests (sometime too indulgent), because you love him so much. And your sister, well, she's a handful. We both should be crowned for sainthood for dealing with her. Too many times I ask you to give up what is rightfully yours to appease a wailing toddler, and I so appreciate your lack of complaints at the unfairness of it all. A true middle child.
I could go on and on and on. I hope five isn't too old for you to ask me back in the bed so we can have a snuggle and while a tear or two might come thinking about you leaving your sweet innocence behind, I am so excited to see what the world brings. I have no doubt that in a few months, you will get on the kindergarten bus and never look back. I have your back forever and always and I love you so.
Love,
Mom
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