Dear Miles,

 You’re so good. I mean that in the way that someone intends to be a good person and do good things. You often vilify the ideas of traditional popularity or morality, of cultural normalcy. But, you still can’t help but be considerate, to apologize for simple mistakes, to want to do right by me and your dad. 

These dueling natures - one of rebellion, one of emerging generosity and caring - are each battling at the forefront of your personality. It’s appropriate as you enter your teens. (Thirteen!) This developmental stage is marked by tasks requiring you to zero in on what makes you tick, what you think others deserve from you. You’re honing in on what you deserve from others and what you should contribute as a member of our family, of greater society. 

I really like you. I love you, of course. You’re my kid. It’s required by law that I must love you. Or maybe it was just suggested in the parenting handbook they gave us at the hospital… But, I also like you. I just think you’re so neat and interesting and fun and funny. 

Keep being yourself. Keep letting shit roll off. Keep striving to do and be good. 

I love you. Happy Thirteenth Birthday!

Mom. 

Dear Will,

You're nine today.

Let's reflect on 8 year old Will. 

You became obsessed with cats. You know about their behavior, read comics about them, interact with our cat Lorraine every day. You crawl around, meow, rub up against our legs... it's intense. Any time you see a stuffed cat, you need to spend your money on it. You have a stuffed cat that has more stuffed cats inside of it!

What else? We started working on projects together. After using the sewing machine at school, you enlisted my help to make a couple of stuffed creatures with no faces! 

You still adore your brother.  You pace around, engrossed in a pretend world for hours on end with him. 

You make clubs with your friends at school. You hate learning your times tables and practicing writing sentences. You respect the plants in our garden. You love cake and frosting and cookies and anything that I'm baking. 

The reviews are in!

Miles says, "Will's mind is incredibly fun to figure out how the heck it works."

Dad says, "Will has developed a great sense of comedy and dramatic timing that makes him a joy to be around."

I say, "Your empathy still impresses me. Your ability to feel what others feel, whether it's on TV or it's your brother losing privileges, you can't help but be in the moment as if it was your life - your losses. I wish that all people had this innate talent. The world would be a better place if there were a whole lot more of Will around."

Happy Birthday, Will!

We're getting a new kitten for your birthday!

Love,

Mom