to Marcus on your seventh birthday...

To Marcus on your 7th birthday:

First grade gets to have you this year, every single school day. I miss having you home on Tuesdays and Thursdays like last year, and you miss it too (mostly because you love to play with little Reese, but I think you miss me a little, too.)

You are such a good big brother that other people are taking notice. Katie Jo asked you “Will you be Jimmy’s big brother?” You thought for a moment and said, “I’ll be his big friend.” Perhaps you feel like you have enough live-in little brothers. I can’t say I blame you!

You are STILL the one who can make me laugh when I really don’t feel like it. I remember one day when I was SO tired of the wrestling and noise, and then you decided to pants somebody. I was MAD. “Marcus! It is NOT OK to pull down someone’s pants!” Your brother was freaking out and you were trying so hard to look serious and sorry, but that twinkle in your eye! and that smirk!  I couldn’t take it. I said, “It’s NOT funny…” but I couldn’t even convince myself of that, so laughing I said, “Ok fine, it is funny, but you have to decide if this laugh is worth the consequences…” Somehow, I think you’ll be the kind of person willing to pay a high price for a good laugh your whole life long.

You notice when I’m feeling grumpy, and most of the time, you stop whatever you are doing and you sing to me, “Oh baby YOU got what I need…” in the style of Biz Markie. Gets me every single time.

Your birthday this year was all about “boy stuff,” slingshots and nerf guns and hikes in the woods. You watched Home Alone and made your own bad-guy trapping plans. You are still certain you want to be “a police” when you grow up. I’m beginning to believe it could happen.

Until then, we will try to contain your manliness in this little house of ours!

Thanking God for seven years with you,

Marcus!

Love, mom