Six

Your little boy Roundness has stretched into Lean this year.  Your legs have grown long and thin and you’ve had the “growing pains” to prove it.  Sometimes the change is so drastic I could swear you are nearly Twelve rather than nearly Seven.

You are a whirlwind of energy always seeking an outlet, eager to join in on any and all fun and take it to the next level, time and place be damned.  Last year you had the joy.  This year you have the joy and the self-confidence to spread it around, far and wide.
Your dance moves know no inhibition and just the hint of a good beat incites them to reveal themselves –  again, time and place be damned.

Your friendships are full of love without self-consciousness.  You freely hold hands, hug and walk with your arm around each others’ shoulders.

You tell me I’m beautiful and I believe you think so.

You sing and you don’t try to hide it.

You cry and you don’t hide that either.

You have attitude and swagger and shocking generosity.

When you have something to say, you struggle to understand why it should not always be said.

Like a tornado, you will not be contained and I’ve come to realize the futility and undesirability of even making that effort. This time is short.  You should be free to enjoy it in your way.  I struggle to convince others of that.

I find myself wishing I could pull the walls (complete with arbitrary rules and time schedules) down around you to ensure that you fully experience Six.

I wish we could put aside the business of growing up, with its five-day-a-week academic calendar and just play (see how strong your influence is?).

But at Six you are learning to become part of the world outside of our home. You are balanced between Big Kid and Little Boy, one foot on each side of the line.

You still reside in a world of superheroes and epic personalities but have added the complexities and shades of gray found in Harry Potter to your world of black and white.

I’m still the girl in your life, thankfully, and I get a few love notes a week to remind me of that. But, the crush you have on your teacher is definitely keeping me on my toes.

Your humor is a mix of nonsensical knock-knock jokes, lots of talk about your butt and a three stooges-type physicality.  Oh, and a lot of references to your butt.  Did I mention you talk about your butt a lot?

As your Mommy, I’m going to miss Six.  But to me, you are Now and everything you have been, all at once.  So as you become Seven, I will still smile at Six standing behind you, and hold tight to Five who leaped out into the world, and carry the weight of Four protectively through parking lots, hike the zoo with Three, rock Two to sleep through his ear infections, hold One’s hand and look on Brand New for the very first time, with absolute wonder.

So on this, your last day of Six, I thank you for bringing your unfettered light into my life and into this world…one that could use a little more Six this year.

I am so blessed to be your Mommy.  Love you Little Boy.