To Jake...Birthday Eight

Dearest Jakie...

Funny story: your football coach (whom you have had for this, your fourth year of football), makes fun of me for calling you Jakie when I'm cheering you on while you're playing football or baseball. I don't mind...that's what you are to me, my sweet Jakie. When you were much littler, you were Bubbaroo...and even sometimes BubbarooHead. Both of those you can blame on your dad...I have no idea where they came from (kind of like Britches Box).

You, my sensitive, sweet, emotional child are so dear to my heart because you are so much like my sister, your auntie CoCo. And lest she tell you differently, she has such a soft spot for you for the same reasons. I can't tell you how many times she has saved you from getting in bunches of trouble by reminding me that you aren't me and you aren't Robbie, you are our special Jakie.

I am constantly amazed at how brilliant you are and how hard you try at things you really want. I hope you will keep those qualities as you get older. One thing I will always remember is when you made your own caterpillar book and it was called "The Emotions of a Caterpillar." I'm sure it was, in part, your way of telling me how you felt as your life was changing so mightily around you. I got it, my sweet Jakie.

You have so many strengths, Jake. You are very handsome (too handsome, really), you are very nice, you are very compliant, you are very smart and you are athletic. You see things very clearly without the complication of crazy emotions. I am proud of you for these things. I know that often you feel anxious or misunderstood. I'm sorry, honey, if I have ever been the contributor to these feelings.

I hope as you grow up, you know you can always talk to me about anything you are feeling...even if your root beer has a question.

I am sorry for all that I have put you through these past few years...really since I was pregnant with your sister. Remember, always, that I adore you, that your brothers adore you and that they are your most faithful advocates.

You are a beautiful child, Jake, inside and out. I am proud of you.

Happy eighth birthday, Jacob Bailey Harris.
Love Always,
Mommy