Happy Fifth Birthday, Jack

Dear Jack, 

I can hardly believe this day has come,

a day to look back on your first five years of life!

The call that came early one morning,

the joy of cradling the baby boy of our son,

a brother to three sisters

and eleventh in the line of cousins -

youngest and dearly loved in every way!

It seems a season has passed us by,

a season of life's firsts for the last time.

Falling asleep in our arms,

exploring the toybox belonging to each grandchild for a time,

swinging the backyard swing hung for our first,

and walks in the stroller to feed the ducks.

Worn books - read a few hundred times,

yet always new to the new beholder.

Playing with yeast doughs, rolling cookies,

doing puzzles, raking leaves, playing ball,

and pre-school pick-ups

with conversations in the car

using that precious developing vocabulary

I wish to hold on to.

So we celebrated five the way we do

for the last time.

You chose a stuffie to fill, 

added a sound and tucked in a heart.

It seemed we ducked in and out 

rather quickly, but it was just right.

 We are so grateful for the gift of you,

that sparkle in your eyes,

the joy of watching you learn,

exploring the gifts God has given you.

Digging, measuring, hammering, 

dancing, singing 

and especially your tender spirit.

With a treasure of dreams stored in our hearts

for all the days and years to come,

we want you to know we love you

and will pray for you always.

Papa and Mimi