Dear Brian,

The other night you climbed onto my lap, and you reminded me of the little 2-year old you who would do the same thing. Only now you are 12 years older, tower at least five inches over me, and your feet touch the floor. I can’t believe that it was fourteen years ago today when you made your entrance into the world. It’s no wonder that you still want to sit on my lap; I don’t think you were put down in the first few months of your life. If Dad or I weren’t holding you, then there was always someone else around, you know, “just coming to see how the baby is” and holding you, too.

Then I think about when you were “Bubba”, and hung out with Ro all the time, and woke up at 6:00 in the morning, and then we’d be out in the backyard playing baseball at 6:30. Alicia from next door said that she didn’t need an alarm clock because she knew it was time to get up when she heard us out there. You had that morning schedule, and I know you don’t like to deviate from the plan.

Now, you’re almost grown up. And you have to shave. And your smile still gets you out of trouble nine times out of ten. I’ve been so impressed with how you’ve kept your grades up, even though you don’t like to read OR do homework. You are at school for ten and a half hours a day, with 2 hour practices, and you don’t complain. More and more I am seeing glimpses of the man you will become. I know you think I am way too hard on you, and maybe I am. But I want you to succeed! I want you to be strong, yet compassionate; steady and true. I want you to strive for excellence, but still learn from your mistakes. I want you to continue to grow in the gospel and to be a good example and a leader to those around you, including your brothers and sister.

Happy birthday, Brian!



I love you!