When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six
now and forever.

-A. A. Milne

Philip,

On the way to lunch, you leaped into the air and yelled, “I can’t believe I am SIX!”

I can’t believe it either.

In one of my favorite books, there is the line, “You burst into our lives like a comet.” When I read that, I think of you.  You, my funny Valentine.  You who we dreamed and planned for and then prayed like crazy through the entire pregnancy that you would make it.  You who were the sweetest, calmest baby and so very, very easy to care for.  Your smile has always set fire to every room and made me ache with happiness.

You know why?  You are the most like me so I get you.  Your twists and turns, ins and outs, victories and defeats – they are as familiar as my own.  I will always be your biggest fan, you know, no matter how big or old you are.

Just don’t do it too quick.  Growing up, that is.  I look at all of these pictures of you and wonder where the time has gone – it’s as slippery as an eel, I tell you! God has GREAT plans for you and I am so excited to see what He does.  In the meantime, though, you don’t have to give up your blankie tomorrow (no matter what Max says . . . ), or lose all your teeth at once.  Take your time, you clever, clever boy.

And can I tell you a little secret?  Part of me WOULD keep you six “now and forever.”

I love you, bud.

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