I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow And each road leads you where you want to go My wish for you is that this life becomes all you want it to Your dreams stay big and your worries stay small… And while you’re out there gettin’ to where you’re gettin’ to I hope you know somebody loves you… Yeah, this is my wish…*
Sigh. Happy sigh. Satisfied sigh.
The first one. The first grandson, the first grandbebe. I wonder how long I can keep calling him my grand-bebe? Forever, I hope?
And wow, God gave me a good one. Gavin is only 7, yet he already possesses and incredible work ethic. He is caring and watchful, a leader, but a servant, too. He shoulders responsibility and loves little babies. Spongebob Squarepants makes him laugh and superheroes inspire him to fly.
He’s got red hair and freckles and boundless energy. He is respectful and has a great outlook on life. He believes the best in everyone, thinks school is great and even his sisters sing his praises, “Gavin is a good brother,” Gemma May recently told me. They love their big brother.
I love you, too, Gavinators.
I hope you never look back and you never forget I hope you always forgive and you never regret And you help somebody every chance you get That you’ll find God’s grace in every mistake And always give more than you take…*
The day you were born, Gavin Lee Kelley, the company I worked for was in crisis and I was working another 16-hour day, firing people, closing down locations in the area, responding as needed. It was hard to tell people, some who’d mentored me earlier in that job, that they wee no longer needed – we were going to make it go without them. I came home that day on my crutches with my broken foot, and could barely drag myself up the stairs when I was told, “Stephanie is at the hospital having the baby.” I wasn’t really sure I wanted to be a grandma yet, and I had just had the saddest, most draining day but you were on your way.
And didn’t you just change everything? You made me a Nonna. And you made my heart explode with hope and joy and love. You made what I thought was the worst day ever the BEST day! And you still do that – 7 years later. When Gavin is around – it is a good day! A really, really good day!
Thank-you for the hugs and kisses even though you’re such a big kid now. Thanks for gardening with me and for loving tomatoes as much as me. We are going to have a great gardening year, Gav! I love you for always. I will never, ever get over you.
Happy, happy Birthday!…Love, Nonna
This is my wish, my wish for you I hope you know somebody loves you May all your dreams stay big…
* LYRICS: portion of “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
Happy Birthday, Gavinator! Have a great celebration…eat lots of food and cake for me!!! :o)
Happy Birthday my big kid!! I love you so so so so much! -Mommy*
Happy birthday, little Gav! You really did shock me today when I got to go to lunch with you and mommy and daddy and the girls and you said you were 7. I’m not sure why I didn’t remember that 7 does come after 6 but it just sounds so…big and so old. I can still remember you as a little tike running around with bumps and scraps because you were into absolutely EVERYTHING, so curious and not afraid to get an ow-ie if it meant discovering something new. And you’re still that way. Full of life! A blaze of red hair, rocketing off to save the world in superhero garb, but somehow still a responsible little boy whom your parents trust to send you to the buffet alone to get the ever-loved chicken-on-a-stick for his sisters. You can’t be old enough to go to the buffet line alone already! When did that happen? And yet you are. I love you so very much, Gav. You are a wonderful boy who brings me great joy! I truly can’t wait to watch the man you will become. Happy Birthday, wonderful nephew!
He IS a lot like his daddy was at that age.
Well, Cherri~ That makes me happy because you sure raised a wonderful son for our daughter! Tris has your humor, for certain and he is one of the most amazing men I know. Gavin is headed in the right direction with a couple of spectacular parents!
J