{nine}

You were breech.  Set in your ways. Upward even before oxygen was yours for breathing.  The day welcomed warm sunshine. Yellowy pink skies shaved with sideways crayons. Bursts of Bradford Pears full.  Swelled with blooms and exploding with new life much like my belly. I was so anxious and excited.  This day welcomed you.

Welcomed.  What a beautiful word, boy.  For that is what you've done.  You've carved out an entire reservoir of my heart and claimed it as yours. You gave me motherhood.  A gift that's full of honor and integrity.  Grit & mistakes.  Love pouring and prayers covering.  And you. Attentive to the hearts of the unseen, I have watched your tenderness become your strength. Cautious & realistic, you cling to those who know you best.  Driven by the joy strings of your heart, I delight in your full throttle play.  The way you repurpose and create.  The way you douse yourself in character and design. Your very presence has welcomed a new facet to our family.  A branch of us that's full and blooming much like the bursting Bradford Pears.

You are a leader, Eli.  Like a lucky rock, you rest tucked down deep in so many people's pockets.  They fumble you through their fingers when nervousness sets in.  They stroke you because they know you're there never leaving their side.  You work best behind the scenes. Your loyalty is fierce and friendship forever.  Casey McGill is becoming such a beautiful young man because of the big brother he has in you.

Still set in your ways scattered and scientific, you soar.  I see you climbing.  Rising above and reaching out for more.  With cautiousness you come back to me for guidance and direction each time that you do.  I can only hope I am giving you the gusts that you need. I watch on to see you take flight.  A little further back I gaze as each year passes.  A young man with legs long and a smile like his Pa.  A lover of story.  A believer in the good. A sweet heart maneuvering this thing called life.  In his best way.  In his own time.  Thank you for being my lucky rock, Eli Garrett.  Clutched in the soul of my hand, you daily have my all. The Bradford Pears bursting with new life remind me today that my belly was just the beginning of the beautiful explosion of you. Upward you go, boy.

Happy nine years, E-man,

Mama :)