Today, you turn 1. And I can hardly believe how fast this year has gone. I remember thinking when you were born that you were so big and strong. You held your own head the very first day and you seemed so alert with your big "old-soul," ever-watching eyes.
At one, you are a compassionate young being. Although likely not the most gentle, you are thoughtful. And while you think that every toy is yours, you care for Abe. When he seems lonely or upset, you are there offering his toy to him in a gesture of kindness and of companionship. You make the world a brighter place, with your big dimpled smile; your full-bellied laugh is contagious.
Your daddy and I have loved every minute of watching you grow--each new stage. All the milestones up to the wobbly-legged first steps and stagger down the hallway. When you were born, your ChouChou gave us a book of a journal she started when your daddy was born. In it she wrote a quote from Kahlil Gibran:
"Your children are not your children.... They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
"You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
"You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth....”
(Above four photos credited to: March Seven Photography by Mike Barry)
Reading this really resonated with me.
Gabriel, we have learned so much about life from you--the way you embrace life. You play hard and will all your might and then fall had into the deepest of sleeps. You eat with gusto and excitement. From birth you have gripped hard and strong to who and what you have wanted. We have learned so much about love. And about people and relationships, about being a mother and father and what being a parent really means. You aren't a little Stephanie or a little Jordan. You are who you are--exuberant, strong, a smart problem-solver, serious and contemplative, tempered with a whole lot of love. While we are still in the beginning years of raising you and nurturing you, we learn so much from you.
So today as you turn one, you make us proud. Not just by all those big milestone accomplishments, but by who you are. Happy Birthday sweet Gabriel. We cannot imagine life without you.
Love, Mama and Daddy
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