Happy Thirteenth Daniel

Cinnamon the bear

lay on my bed

where you left him to shelter me

and keep me company
while I was sick.

He was wearing his yellow and white bowtie

which made me think of springtime 

and how you love me 

like the stars that map the sky

and the moon that peeks through your window

playing hide and seek,

like the night light when you were small

and proudly you said the word moon

for the first time.

Your golden locks were soft

and your sweet smile

seeped into my heart

while I welcomed your spirit.
Now you are older

you read my words

and you understand

as you find love in my poetry

and in between the lines

all the while listening to my heart.

It seems like yesterday,

it seems like long ago

when you entered my world,

your eyes alert

with a twinkle like no other. 

I love your laughter,

giggles,

idiosyncrasies. 

I love that you ponder 

the big questions of life

and the small ones.

I love that you are a boy that thinks

about heaven
and if we go there

and the meaning of our existence.
At the same time
I love

 that you explore
 how fast to solve

the Rubik's cube
 and that

you design virtual worlds.

I love your conversation and animation.

I love that you are gentle and kind

and that you reside in an old soul.

I love your vocab and grammer,

enthusiasm and wonder.

I love that you are proper

and that you savor life while

you soak it all in.

You are my light,

my inspiration,

I love you forevermore.

My sweet Daniel, I can't believe that you are thirteen today. From the moment you were born we felt so blessed and lucky. Every step of the way has been amazing, from you being wrapped like a taco in your blanket smiling right away to growing into an incredible young man. You make us laugh every day with your wit and sense of humor. We love you with all our hearts and wish you the best in life.