A very quick 13 months after Claire arrived you joined our once little family. You were such a contrast to your white-as-snow sister, all dark, tense and howling. You had such huge chocolate brown eyes, not like most babies born with blue, yours were intense and dark, right from the get-go. Having a baby boy was absolutely terrifying. What did I know about boys? Well, thank you for teaching me, so far, all I need to know. I hope I've been a good student since you've been a wonderful teacher.
You are intense
You are intelligent
You are respectful
You are forgiving
You are athletic
You are kind
You are sensitive
You are mercurial
You are loyal
You are curious
You are quick tempered
You are determined
You are authentic
Every day, of the past 4749 days with you, has been an adventure. Your ever-changing moods often give me whiplash and you have me thinking on my feet even in my most exhausted moments. You are a wonderful challenge. You are determined to be perfect and I wish you would just settle for being excellent. I think perfection is overrated and can only frustrate those who pursue such an unattainable goal. In short, I wish you would give yourself permission to be content.
This past year has been such a challenge to you: your confidence and your character. You've proven yourself to be a tremendous young man with great judgment, great loyalty and great forgiveness. You are capable of amazing things, if you let yourself be you.
I am incredibly proud of you.
My children couldn't ask for a better big (and little) brother.
Your dad and I couldn't ask for a better baby boy.
*****
ETA: Claire stayed up late last night to post the very first Happy Birthday greeting on Cole's Facebook Wall. I cried when I read what she wrote to her brother:
Life is good.
