Letters To My Son: Today You Are 13

Dear Pookah Bear,

Today, my baby, you are 13.

I teared up just typing that.

I remember when you turned 10, I felt like it hit me hard at how fast you were changing. How mature you were becoming.

These past three years, through a pandemic and middle school and watching you adapt and mature through all of that has taught me one thing:

You are amazing.

I know every parent thinks this about their child, but you really are amazing.

I think every year I write that I am fascinated by how your mind works, what you think and who you are becoming. I sit in amazement at your confidence in yourself, your competitiveness, your bravado, your swag.

I watch you cook your breakfast, or listen to your opinion on something happening in the news , listen to teachers call you mature , hear you thank me for something simple, or watch you play basketball with your Dad and all I can think is…isn’t he a beautiful soul?

As we enter these teen years, I know there will be trials to come. I mean, already I feel our will butting up against yours as you try to stretch your wings and learn more about who you are becoming.

You are strong willed like your mama so I know that there will be disagreements, lessons to learn on both our parts, some tears and lots of joy.