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As your 4th Birthday approaches I have been thinking about all the many reasons I am grateful for you. You add so much to our family and you are an incredible blessing. Thank you for all the laughter, both intentional and unintentional. Your dad and I, your brothers, and any siblings to come are all honored to call you family.
I must admit, some days your all or nothing personality is a little wearing. You go after everything with an intensity I could not replicate even if I tried. You must have said the sentence, "Will my police shirt be clean tomorrow?" a thousand times. Patience may not be your best virtue right now, but you try hard, and we work on it together-- because God knows I need more patience as well.
Yes, you are a police man who is ready to fight the bad guys, but you are also such a sensitive, sweet soul. You care for others at all times. You think of your brothers and friends when they aren't around. When your imagination is on some far-away planet and someone pops into your head, I love the way you stop and say, "Mom can I pray for this person?" and we stop and pray together. I just know it makes God smile. When I crouch down to look in a cupboard you never fail to see the open spot on my lap and climb in for a hug. You protect your brothers fiercely, unless your playing football and the roughness is being enjoyed by all.
I think your quality that I have learned from the most is loyalty. I look up to how incredibly loyal you are . A few weeks ago, you and I had the stomach bug together (I am sure you remember). When I would go to the bathroom to throw up I never failed to hear the small creek of the door, and the tip toeing of your feet as you snuck in behind me. You would hand me tissues and rub my arm and ask "Mom, you feel better now?" You never missed the opportunity to care for me. It was on your radar the entire day. I don't think you realize the magnitude of your selflessness at age four. I know God will grow this quality (among others!) and you are going to have an amazing life for Him.
Thank you for being in our family. I am so excited for you to open your heart to another sibling. It will warm my heart to see your protective nature, generosity, and your affection extend once again as we grow. Your a great friend, son, brother, and of course one of the best police officers in the whole wide world.