Avery,
The highly anticipated day is here at last! You've been looking forward to it since....maybe last birthday. In true Avery fashion, you celebrated it at midnight Saturday after a long day of excitement. You couldn't have laid out a better birthday weekend for yourself. It was a Carolina Basketball Reunion weekend of epic proportions. I've always admired your ability (like your father) to be comfortable and dynamic in so many different situations and that was on full display this weekend! You know the importance of a firm handshake and looking someone in the eye. "So nice to meet you" came out of your mouth many times this weekend while you ping-ponged between socializing with old friends and strangers.
We had a dinner on Saturday night in the Smith Center with all of the former players and families. I had several people come ask, "where is Avery?" and the answer was always, "I have no idea." But with every answer was the knowledge that you were a minimum absolutely fine, and more likely, doing something to make someone's evening better. Whether it was managing the children's bounce house, telling my former classmate who was integral in introducing Eric and me "thanks for making sure I existed," or stripping linens and moving chairs after the event concluded, you make an impact wherever you go. That was just one night, but that is how you live your life.
You've started 5th grade and on day 2, you told me that you started an organizing club. On day 4, you had created a signup and established rules. Rule #7 -- leave every area cleaner and more organized that we found it. In the same vein, you acquired a fish several months back. It was meant to be on your birthday wish list, but you saw a weak spot in your father who made a promise he could not keep. "Can we get a fish?" you whispered to him out of earshot of your less impulsive mother. T.D. entered our family that day and before his first night in Rockford Lane, he had a bedazzled tank next to set of rules that provided instruction as to cleaning protocols and feeding schedules. Rule #7 -- Be nice to T.D. You have followed that rule and all of them and any fish or living creature under your care is a lucky one.
You're responsible, mature, creative, and a dang trip to be around. Your brain must be a great place to live in and I love getting glimpses of what goes on up there. I remember a past conversation when we were contemplating life and death, and you envisioned heaven to have LED lights and Starbucks drinks. You told me when you go to college you would take my pillow because it smells like me. Watching you bury your nose in my pillow makes me feel so grateful to be loved by you and have a front row seat to your growing up. You are a gift that keeps on giving day after day and I'm thankful to be your mom.
Love,
Mom
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