a letter to my four year old

Dear Jackson, July 13, 2006
Two weeks ago, you turned 4. Four! I can’t believe it. Every year on your birthday I lament to myself about how this was the day I became a Mama. You made me a Mama and I tell you that often. “You are my baby boy and I am your Mama.” I am so pleased with the wonderful little guy you have become. So wise, so funny, so helpful, so kind, so loving.
We started you in speech therapy a few weeks ago, because you had begun to stutter in December 2005 (6 months ago) and it had gotten really bad. It breaks my heart to watch you struggle with your speech, but I will never let on. You really like your “class” and you love your teacher Ms. Libby. She is very kind and for that I am so grateful. This past week we have watched your fluency get smoother and smoother and it makes my heart soar! You are going to make it my little man! I am so proud of your sweet attitude and passion for life and the things that you do.
In the fall, you will start kindergarten 4. It will be your first time to go to any sort of school and you will be gone 4 mornings a week! I am nervous thinking about taking you and watching you leave mama for the first time. But, I know it is good and I know it is time.
You still love to play with trains and you are very creative with your story telling and art work. You build all sorts of things and have gotten extremely good at putting together fairly difficult puzzles! You love to run and jump and play outside. You love helping your Daddy and hugging on your Mama. You told me that your favorite foods are salmon, ribs, and rice! Nice taste you have, Bud!! You are an extremely protective, loving and fun big brother to "your two sugarbelles!" You say that Mia and Ella are “our two little cuties!”
I love your heart and your passion to learn. I love your love of words and sharing them.
I love you always and forever,
Mama