Eleven

It’s hard to believe a whole year has gone by.  It’s been such a mixed up year, hasn’t it? We’ve missed our friends and I’ve missed watching you learn Taekwondo.  But we’ve had some pretty sweet memories mixed into the year of Covid. 2020 began with you and I taking a little weekend retreat away.  A treat you gave me, after a year of saving and using your birthday money. You are a giver. Always willing to give.  When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday you told me money so you could buy your cousins the best Christmas gift even though in the moment you had no idea what exactly the best gift was. By now that’s the kind of answer I expected from you. 

You see life differently than most, I think.  You find joy in seeing joy from other people. That’s not what most people do. You see a need and you do whatever you can to fill it.  In February I got to sit next to you at your very first concert with Jeremy Camp and Casting Crowns. In between sets you learned about Children’s International, where for just $36 a month you could support a child in need. That became your mission.  Honestly, I tried to talk you out of it.  You only made $20 a month in allowance, I didn’t see how you would be able to make it happen. I told you to spend some time thinking, by the next break you had a plan and you have stuck to it.  You have used not only your allowance, but you have also done monthly bake sales to raise money each month for your friend Alexander. You’ve even raised extra to send him a birthday gift.  Months later and you’re still making him a priority. I will not be surprised if someday you become the next Bob Goff. You dream big, give big, and most of all you love big.  You seem to have this supernatural power to know the best way to love people. It amazes me actually. I think many adults would do well to have your perspective of love. Don’t lose it, because that will make you great. I promise.  Actually this is my prayer for you that as you grow closer to adulthood that you don’t forget what drives you, that you love Jesus and people with all of you. Dream big. Love big.

An interview with your eleven year old self:

What’s your favorite color? Black, actually no, black isn’t a color. Dark, dark, grey.

What is something that is special to you?

My book, because we get to write to each other each day.

What is your favorite word or saying? Can I read?

What is your favorite thing to do? Taekwondo

Who is your favorite superhero? Dad

What is your favorite book or book series?Matterhorn the Brave

What is your favorite memory from this past year?Our weekend away because for once we were going on a date that didn’t require you to do anything except drive me around. I bought everything and that was awesome.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor missionary

What’s your favorite place to eat? Yoshi’s