Dear Colin:
How can it be that you are five years old? I can't believe it was 5 years ago that you were placed into my arms. I still can so vividly remember so many specific details of that journey of labor and delivery and your scary birth. Even more vividly, I can remember the feelings of joy that quickly changed to sheer panic and fear when you weren't breathing and the swarm of medical personal ran into the delivery room back to pure bliss when you were finally placed in my arms. 5 years seems so long ago and such a milestone for you.
Your dad and I are amazed daily by how intelligent you are. Reading, math and your mad memorization skills are your biggest intellectual strengths. Just before you turned 4, you started reading sight-type words. A year later, you read everything. Books, bulletin boards, standard manuals, credits on a movie. If it has words, you stop to read it. Not only are we amazed by how fluently you can read, we are actually more surprised by the actual words you read with ease. Words like technology, obedience, audience. Words like sacrifice, unnatural, disinfecting. Given the opportunity you would read most of the day. Math is another "subject" that you are getting really excited about. You love doing addition and subtraction. You love numbers, dates, knowing how far away something is. We often call you "Rainman" because you definitely have my memory. You remember everything. It's freakish how quickly and the great lengths of time you remember things.
You have taken your role of "Big Brother" very seriously and with great pride. You love showing him new things, teaching him animal sounds or new words. You are quick to tell him "no" or let me know when he's getting into trouble. You love to hug, kiss, and hold each others' hands. You love introducing your little brother and proudly share both your names and Elias' latest milestone. You clap and make a big deal when he does something special. You are his biggest cheerleader and he is yours. I hope you both always stand in each other's corner rooting each other on. Colin, I've been so impressed by how you've handled someone "stealing the spotlight." Over the past few months, Elias has commanded more of our attention and charmed it from others. You have your moments of not always wanting to share your toy immediately or getting frustrated by Elias ramming his head into yours - yet again, but for being only 4, you handled it better than most.
It's been so amazing to watch your faith grow this year. Daddy and I jokingly refer to you as Pastor Colin. You love reading your Bibles and ask the most profound questions. The biggest joy has been watching your prayer life explode. When I think back over the year, I have seen a huge change in how you pray. We used to say "thank you prayers" and like most children, you'd say the first thing that either popped into your head or the first thing you saw. As the year progressed, we have changed to "special prayers" where we take turns saying whatever is on our heart or mind. And while there are still times where you'd pray like a 4 year old, there are times you pray way beyond your years showing your heart for others. I pray you love for God and your heart for others never diminish.
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Colin Isaac, you are such a special boy. A boy who often puts others feelings and needs above his own. You love so deeply, so openly. You are affectionate, complimentary and loving. It is my prayer that you continue to explore this wonderful world; that your mind continues to absorb and question all that enters your mind; that you never lose your joy, laughter or the ability to love others. I am so proud to be your Mom and look forward to seeing what this year has in store for you.
Love Always,
Mommy
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