How do you make your son's fourteenth birthday special during a pandemic when it is illegal to be with friends? You hang out with your pops! Leading up to Christmas there was heavier restrictions put on Albertans where we were not allowed to go to people's houses or have people over, even family. No events. Life shut down. Right in time for Jackson's birthday. To make it special, we let Jackson skip the last day of school to go snowboarding with just his Dad. Something that Jackson has really been craving is some sibling-free time to watch whatever show he wants or play whatever video game without interruption. The best way to guarantee that was to set up a father-son party at Joe's office after hours. They hauled in some beds and played video games after their day of snowboarding, ordered in some pizza and treats and had a late night. They ended the evening off with a scary movie (which Noah and I hate watching) then had a sleepover at the office! Jackson loved it.
The next day, I met up with them with the rest of the family for some more skiing time at the Hill. Afterwards we ate cake back at the house and sang Jackson happy birthday. I was so worried that Jackson would feel so sad about not being allowed to invite friends over to celebrate his birthday, but he sad he had such a fun time. I'm sure he was disappointed about the restrictions, but I think we made up for it. You also got to pick out a skateboard for your gift. I'd say it was a good weekend.
Jackson, you are a good kid. As you grow up, I am starting to see that some of your innocence is no longer there but you know what's appropriate and what's not. It's this weird space for me as I know you are so ready to watch movies or shows that are a little more mature, but I just want you to stay in the Disney bubble and stay a kid forever. You are not taller than me yet, but you are getting there! Each time you give me a hug, I can feel you getting taller and to that I say, STOP IT!
You are very observant. Something you have always been and continue to be. If you see that there is a need, you are usually the first to fill it whether you feel like it or not. Even today I asked Zoe to do treats with Tucker and when she gave some excuse as to why she couldn't, you stepped in and took over because you saw that I couldn't in that moment. This tells me that you have a good heart. You want to help people and you want to do the right thing. This sort of behaviour will always serve you well and it most certainly blesses my life as you continue to look outside of yourself. Your new joy in life is your birthday skateboard. You've already injured yourself many times and I'm sure it won't be the last! But you are dedicated! You want to learn a trick, and you go after it until you've got it. The same can be said for piano, school, art, and everywhere else that you excel.
With Covid restrictions, I've seen a little of your light go out but you haven't let that stop you from getting creative. You can't meet with your friends, but you can zoom with them and have started to call each other in the mornings before school to work out together. That takes dedication and commitment and I'm really impressed! You only really have your family to cling to, so you do. We play family games together, you build forts for your sisters, we have movie nights together, etc, and you have been such a trooper as the oldest brother. I'm sure you would rather be spending your Saturdays out with friends, but with that choice being eliminated, you choose to smile anyway and enjoy the time we spend as a family. It is a gift to look on the bright side and you are certainly doing that even though it's been very hard to.
Thank you for being my son. I am a lucky Mom to call you mine. You are so special to me and I can't allow myself to think to the very near future when you will be old enough to go on a mission and move out and away from home. Nope. I'm not interested in thinking about that yet. For now, we will snuggle on the couch next to each other and watch things like Modern Family together and laugh and eat treats and veg. That is all I will allow myself to think about. STOP GROWING UP! I love you.
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