Four

Today at circle, Benicio's news was that his mom woke him up in the night to give him lunch. So much for waking up at 5:45am to give him breakfast in bed. Anyway, this is for Benicio True:

What can I say to my right hand man? When I see that we are the same, I think, "Oh, no. He's in for heart-ache!" But Benici, this way with people that you have, your ability to make friends, to have the game go according to your plot, I see your winsomeness and I am flabbergasted. It seems like yesterday when I was nursing Manny in the rocking chair and my water broke and we met you that night! You came into the world on a cozy Cambridge night. Dad and I took a long icy walk down Cambridge Street, your waterbag dripping into my clogs and me pressing my face into Dad's sweater for contractions. The room was so warmly dim, us quietly awaiting your sure and perfect descent. I see you flip and roll on the couch and I remember how you emerged and how I got to grab you and pull you out, this little hot spunky form, wriggly and beautiful! I think with the firstborn, we are adversaries, "Will you be able to lead? Will you be okay out in the world?" But I think with the second, you, I think, "The world has no idea the potency and the delight you are going to bring!"

You show us how to be our strong, unapologetic selves wherever we go, not to be shy of our super-ness even if we are at the food co-op or the library. I see you with your sister and how you feed her with your little hands, you never skimp when you share. You are a source of warmth for this family. I see you with your friends at school, making yourself heard, sometimes not being understood, blinking back tears when you get hurt. When you choose not to tell me who or how you got hurt, at first I am worried and then I see that you are equipped and that you don't need my help. I did NOT think that would be the case so soon! For your hidden wounds, I know that Christ is salve. For your battles on the far playground and the ones where you are not triumphant, I know that Christ is advocate for you. I see that your childhood is such a rich time. May your cup overflow with mirth and innocence and boundless fruition of all your covert plans. My impish and intense boy, your fixed and expectant gaze, what a year you have had! May God grant you a hundred more.