To My Almost 12 Year Old

Owen! I can't believe you will be twelve years old tomorrow! This has been such a big year for you - moving into the middle school years, finding a new passion on the golf course, and threatening to leave me behind as the shortest person in the family. As always, I am sincerely enjoying watch you become who you are.

This year you enjoyed playing winter basketball, spring baseball, fall flag football, with random tennis tournaments scattered throughout. You also picked up golf, which you have really enjoyed. The crazy thing is, you are really good at all the above, but I think what you really love is moving from one sport to another throughout the year.

You can be as goofy as anyone, and sometimes your energy builds up and explodes (especially when you are around your buddies or Lucy). But at the core you have a quiet spirit. I loved watching you in Portugal this summer. You would have stayed there forever if you could have. In fact, you teared up that last night as we walked on the pier and along the shoreline in Porto, because you so deeply loved being there - wandering the streets in the fisherman's village, looking for seaglass on the beach, hanging off the pier and causing me to have a heart attack, weighing our daily produce at Pingo Doce, getting pummeled by the waves...I think the pace of life there made you feel at home.

You continue to excel in piano - I love hearing you play and never have to remind you to practice. You have enjoyed moving up to youth group this fall, and I love hearing you talk about what you are learning there (and also watching you play knockout in the gym after youth every Wednesday). You always do what you think is right, even when it's not easy. You lift weights multiple days per week and you basically have abs of steel. You are quietly hilarious, easy-going, super forgetful (like when we pulled up at pitching lessons today and you realized you left your baseball glove at home), and just generally a joy to be around.

Bo, you're growing up fast. You are already wise; keep growing in wisdom. Keep seeking the Lord first. "Be on your guard. Stand firm in the faith; be a man of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."

I can't tell you how proud I am of you, how much I like you, how thankful I am that God placed you in our family. Here's to the best year ever!

Happy birthday, my almost 12 year old!

To My Almost 17 Year Old

 

Sweet Claire, I've been writing these birthday letters for most of your life, but this one hits differently...not just because of the year you've had, or because I remember loving being 17 years old, but because of the season we are in right now.

What a year you've had. You lived your 16 year old life to the fullest. You grew so much in your confidence as an independent driver. You took your first college class through dual enrollment. You made the decision to play basketball for a new team, then led your team to win region and head to state. This was the year you decided to go all in on tennis, laboring over the decision to quit basketball this fall and devote your time and energy to your dreams of taking tennis as far as you can. You spent nearly a month in Portugal this summer, training both physically and mentally on and off the court. Your accomplishments this year are just the visible fruit of a life of discipline and endurance.

Then, nearly seven weeks ago, it all came to a grinding halt. When you woke up with near complete monoplegia in your right leg, and then spent the next weeks in hospitals and doctor's offices and MRI machines, and when your ability to do the things you love was taken and when the answers did not come, what would you do? How would you respond?

You would respond with the same grace you have always carried. You would respond by "rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances." You would respond with hope and tenacity and determination. You would, by the testing of your faith, prove that your foundation is firm.

Claire-bear, your accomplishments are impressive, but your character is worth more than gold. I may not know how this chapter will end, but I do know how the story ends.

So keep fighting. Keep running your race with endurance. Keep lifting your eyes to the mountains. Keep growing in wisdom. Keep rejoicing in hope. 

May this year be filled with laughter and miracles. May you continue to grow in grace and knowledge. 

I love who you are, Claire, and I'm so proud to be your mom.

Happy birthday, my sweet almost 17 year old!