To Sumner on his 4th birthday

Dear Sumner,

I cannot believe how much change this year has brought for you. You seem to have gone from toddler to little boy overnight. You have become so caring, so kind, and so funny. You love to tell jokes and make us all laugh. You still love animals so much, especially our cats. Your favorite color is green, and your new favorite food is ham.

You've come along so much during therapy. I remember a little boy who couldn't make eye contact and who we had a hard time getting to hug and kiss us. Now you love to cuddle. Your imagination has blossomed this year too...at any given moment you could be a cat, a pirate, or building a complicated machine. Your stories are elaborate and fantastic.

You worry me sometimes, I am not going to lie. You are so smart and have so much going on in that head of yours, you sometimes don't know how to express it all. Now that you are four, you have spent the whole day asking how much longer until you get to be five and go to kindergarten! I cannot believe how fast time is going.

You have a beautiful singing voice, a contagious laugh, and you make all of us so happy. I am so lucky to have you as a son. Happy, happy birthday to you, my sweet little boy.

Love,

Mommy