Dear Gabe,
I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you. Everyone thinks mothers should be praised for taking such wonderful care of their children…but I think you should be praised for saving me. I so needed you. I needed normalcy; I needed….you. When you came along 13 short months after Olivia, I didn’t know how I would do it. I was still in a deep hole from your sister’s diagnosis; I didn’t really know who I was, what I would do with her, how I would be her mother let alone your mother too. Olivia was still very much like a newborn; you were colicky and didn’t sleep and wanted to be held 24/7. But guess what? I did it. Because of you, I found this strength I didn’t know I had. I started to enjoy being a mother and realized I could do it all. I had to.
Watching you walk, talk, write, jump, ride a bike, everything a child should do, without any help, has been amazing to me. I was so used to watching your sister work so hard that it was foreign to me that you could just DO it without any help. You still amaze me every day. Every day. I hope you know that and I hope you never forget that.
I am so proud of you. So, so proud of you. The way you are with your sister astounds me. I love it that she annoys the crap out of you too…because that shows me that she’s just your sister and you love her no matter what. You are such a good big brother to Matthew too. He admires you like you will never know. You are exactly what I hoped for in a son. Exactly.
I simply can’t express how much I love you; how much you changed my life; how you saved me. Maybe someday you’ll understand.
Happy 8th Birthday buddy…
***I’m out of town for work for the rest of the week…without free Wifi (the horror!)…so wish my hubs and kids good luck…and I’ll be back next week!
Elastamom's Excerpts 
you’re a great mom!
I’ve thought about your words in this post all morning. The most plaguing question for me to answer is when should we bring another child into our home. I don’t really think there is a real answer for that.
I still smile as I think about your reaction of when you found out you were pregnant with Gabe. It all ends up working out well though doesn’t it? That’s the beauty of human nature I think…we always make it work. And then one day look back and feel so blessed that it turned out even better than what we had imagined.
It gets heavier and heavier on my heart all the time about adopting but I am so afraid. There are so many variables. But reading your sweet words to Gabe, makes my heart rest a little more.
Beautiful message! Happy B-day Gabe! (love your name!)
I remember when you told me you were pregnant with him. I remember how very easily you fell into being a mom of two children. I remember watching him be an amazing inspiration to your growing family. He is a very special boy with a very special job on this earth. I’m honored to know him! Happy Birthday Gabe!!!
Awe, happy 8th to such a great little boy and big brother!
goosebumps multiple times. ā¤
Aww, Happy Birthday to your lovely son!
You are awesome.
Happy Birthday, Gabe! (And have a wonderful, wifi-free trip.)
Happy Birthday to Gabe!!
And maybe having no internet will be a good thing?!
Happy Birthday, Gabe!
(Now I’m off to find some tissue…)
He sounds like a fantastic kid.
Happy Birthday!
That’s a great post for his birthday. It is wonderful that when your children help you appreciate the differences between them. Whenever I’m having challenges with my son (he’s somewhat delayed socially and it causes difficulty at school), I always try to take a deep breath and be thankful for all the things he *can* do that some other children can’t. Focusing on the ‘cans’ instead of the ‘can’ts’ is therapeutic for me.
Happy Birthday Gabe! What a sweet and thoughtful letter. He sounds like such a great little guy!
Woman, you have me in tears. This is such a beautiful tribute to your son. You are strong. You inspire me on a regular basis. Happy Belated to a very handsome eight year old boy!
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Traci