Dear Summer

Dear Summer,

Today I go back to work and leave you for another year.  I am so sad. Do you remember when the whole summer was ahead of us and all I could do was bask in your promises? Sigh.

I know you don't actually think I'm sad this morning, but that is only because I have to buck-up and end this.  Don't worry about me, I have a wonderful place to work and lovely people that I enjoy spending time with.  I just need to rip the bandage off, you know?  I have spent the weekend moping around trying to convince Dustin to start playing the lottery so neither of us ever have to work again, but in my heart I know that this isn't actually a solution to saying goodbye...you still have to go.

I think what I'm mourning is the passing of time, you know?  An end to one more of your warm lovely seasons, in which you provided my family with camping, lakeside swimming, gardening, craft beers, library trips, bike rides, unedited time together... the list goes on.

You really outdid yourself this year.  You weren't just a summer, you were this pocket window of time that provided my family with beautiful things.  You also threw in some doozies too, but I'm older and wiser now. I no longer expect perfection - even from you.  Even when I am drunk on your sun-drenched days of May that are so full of promise for the coming months.

But I'm not writing to criticize.  I'm writing to thank you.

•   Thank you for teaching my five year old to tie his shoe.
• Thank you for watching my seven year old perfect gear shifts and long distance riding on his new bike.
• Thank you for listening to the words of my 2 year old form into beautiful conversation and hilarious commentary as he gently (or not so gently) approached 3. 
• Thank you for convincing my not-so-brave boys to jump off the end of the dock at the lake. 
• Thank you for organizing my utensil drawer, and then my closets and eventually my garage - getting rid of an enormous amount of access that flooded our lives.
• Thank you for overwhelming us with God's creation through rivers, lakes, mountains, beaches, and forests.
• Thank you for listening to my children learn Bible School songs that led to spontaneous concerts throughout every day.
• Thank you for bringing me together with my parent and the brother who has spent the majority of our adult life living too far away from me - for providing our children with a place to grow up together.
• Thank you for the few days you allowed us to throw open our windows and let the outside in.
• Thank you for Lake Michigan beaches, reunions, airplanes, concerts, ice cream, peach cobbler, giant blueberries, watermelon, corn on the cob, and your night-time sounds.

You've really outdone yourself. You weren't just any summer. You were one of the most precious seasons of my adult life, and I'm so glad to have known you.

I can't wait to meet you again.

Your slightly more tan friend,

Tiffany
xoxo

O turns 3.

My sweet baby boy.
Today you told me you are not a baby.  I guess you're right. I promise I will try my best to resist the urge to call you my baby boy.  But I also promise you that I will forever think of you as such.

To think that I didn't know you just three years and one day ago seems nuts.  I can't imagine for a minute our family without you in it.  You have had us rolling on the floor with laughter since the minute you figured out how to work a room with your smile. You sense of humor and timing add many beautiful things to this family unit.  You'll do anything for a genuine laugh, and you are good at it.

This past year you have found your words and your voice.  You use your words to make others laugh and to push against the control of your older brothers.  You aren't afraid to say how you feel, nor do you shy away from telling us what you want.  I hope you go forth in your life with this confidence, but find ways to also filter it with love and patience.

Your favorite show is Thomas (when your brothers will let you watch it) and your favorite toy is anything you can push outside while running as fast as your little legs will go.  You received approximately 25 Rescue Bots for your birthday and you love every single one of them. Your best friend is our young neighbor boy of your same age, and you two get in all sorts of trouble together, yet I love watching you play together.

Baby boy, I love you so much.  I wish for you a year of laughter, patience, and the knowledge that our love is shining on you even when we aren't together.

I'll love you forever sweet boy,
Your Mama