-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Luke Taylor,
This was the year you lost teeth, chopped your bangs, played tee-ball, competed on a swim team, joined a flag football league, constructed thousands of LEGOs, went to first grade, (unknowingly) charmed lots of little girls, and remained in what seemed to be a constant state of motion.
During a flag football game water break, you said to your dad, breathless, Wonder what activity is next? He noted that you sounded out of breath, to which you responded, But not out of energy.
If there was ever a summary of how you experience the world, it is that.
Maybe my favorite thing about you these days is your imagination. You have a knack for creating basketball or football games in your mind while you play them out as a one-man act. You're the coach, the referee, the play-by-play announcer, and multiple players, all at once. It's something to behold.
When you tell us about these contests, you talk about how they happen "in your world," and "not in the real world." Goodness gracious, I laugh at how you dream. What a gift.
If your mind is active, your mouth is hyperactive. Your words come freely and without filter, and if you weren't so dang funny, you'd drive us all bananas.
You still love your brother to pieces, and he loves you, and that means you fight some, too. But mostly, I think you two are as thick as thieves when it counts.
For better or worse, Lukey, you are the baby of the family, and your mom and dad are both eager and sad to see you grow up so big.
Here are a few things they'll remember from this year.
I'd describe Luke's personality with these few words:
mom: Strong-willed, competitive, loving, brave, joyful, energetic.
dad: Toothless chatterbox in perpetual motion.
Luke is happiest when he ...
mom: Is outside.
dad: Is outside playing.
Luke is not-so-charming when he ...
mom: Does not get his way or pushes Carter's buttons on purpose.
dad: Slams doors in anger.
My proudest moment parenting Luke this past year was ...
mom: Watching his push for independence. He has been ready to do many things solo, long before my mom heart was ready for it.
dad: When he decided to make a sign on his own to cheer on Carter and me for our 5k.
Luke's best qualities are:
mom: He is helpful, snuggly, thoughtful, and loving.
dad: His energy and his helpfulness.
My heart broke a little bit this past year when ...
mom: Kids were picking on him at the beginning of the school year.
dad: He started being left out of playing with Carter and his friends.
The hardest question Luke asked me/us this year was ...
mom: What do they do with zoo animals when they die?
dad: Why someone wouldn't play with him.
After his seventh birthday, I'm most looking forward to ...
mom: Watching his personality, friendships, and interests evolve.
dad: His smile with all of his new teeth.
Just yesterday, you had a birthday celebration in the green space near your house that included an oversized bouncy house, twenty-something children from your class and neighborhood, and a few fans of yours who share your last name.
Every time a new guest arrived, you ran full speed to them, greeted them with excitement, and thanked them for coming to your party.
I could have cried every time you did, because you are joyful and enthusiastic and captivated by the world and its experiences in a way that is pure and true.
And this is how life is with you. Everything to you is wonderful. We're just glad to be in your wonderful world.
Happy seventh, Lukey. We love you and every ounce of your energy.
