To my darling Alfie,
Please can I ask you a huge favour? Please stop growing up so fast! Please remain as innocent, sweet and full of laughter as you are right now.
I can't believe I have known you for eight whole years now, time is going so quickly. I love you more and more each morning and each evening as I put you to bed. You and your brother are my world. I don't have a perfect memory, but I remember vividly the moment you entered the world. It was traumatic for the both of us but we were strong and survived our ordeal. I was sad that I wasn't the first person to hold you and it took two hours before I could finally get to hold you in my arms. You stared at me with those beautiful, memorising blue eyes of yours which immediately made my heart melt. It was instant love.
I have noticed you growing up a little more lately...you have stopped giving me cuddles and kisses at the school gates when we say our goodbyes especially when your friends are around. You are no longer the little boy attached to his mummy's hand at all times. It makes me sad but I knew it would happen eventually. And although you still love to cuddle up to me in the evening while we read a book together, I can see my baby slipping away by the day, being replaced by a boy with his own mind and desire to be independent. It is my job to ensure you grow up to be a respectable gentleman, but I will always miss the little you.
As you enter your 9th year, these are my reminders for you:
- You and your little brother will always be my number one priority. I will always be here for you, will always support you no matter what you become and will always be here to pick you up when you need me.
- As you get older, the temptation to play more than completing your school work will be strong. I know you find school boring but learning, and achieving your grades are extremely important. If you don't go to school then you will not be able to achieve your dreams of becoming a master builder for Lego.
- Please don't let losing effect you. I wish I could tell you that you will never suffer from failure, bad luck and hard times. Always take failure as a learning exercise and simply pick yourself up and try again. You will not always win at football, beat your brother at running up the giant hill we live by or impress your teachers at school.
- If you want respect then you have to earn it. Respect all adults you come across in life. You may hate being bossed around but we are here to teach you, guide you and to help you grow into a strong adult. Also respect other children especially your friends. Friends are valuable so please do not take them for granted. Lastly respect yourself. Always believe you are smart, handsome, valuable, and can be anything you want to be.
- Always take responsibly for your actions. If you do something wrong, admit your mistake and try to solve any problems caused. If you need to apologise, do it immediately as it will gain you so much respect. Learn from your mistakes and move forward a better little man.
- Be a gentleman. I know you already are but keep trying to do at least one good deed each day. Hold open a door for someone, offer help to those who seem to be struggling, say hello to someone who looks lonely, offer support to someone who may be having a bad day, or just simply help your brother with his reading. A small act of kindness may make someones day turn from bad to worse, you can really effect someones life by one small act.
Alfie, you are growing into an extraordinary, intelligent young man. I couldn't be more proud of who you are and what you are becoming. My heart melts when you surprise me with the amount of love you have inside you even if you don't want to show it in front of your friends any more. That's ok, I need to allow you your space to grow. You and your brother Thomas are my greatest achievements in life and I am so proud to call you my boys.
Happy Birthday Alfie
I Love you so much
Mummy x
This is such a lovely post to your young man. My son is going to turn one in July and I can't believe by little tiny baby has been with us for so long already. I can't imagine what 8 years feels like.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful letter. I love the photo of you and Alfie on the beach :)
ReplyDelete#weekendbloghop