This post is late, like you were.
You chose to arrive on your own time, in your own way.
Not much has changed about the way you do things, and I doubt it will.
Or that's my hope, anyway.
Everything that makes you different from the next guy, is everything that makes you perfect.
You watch and listen to the world, while the rest of us are rushing through it making noise.
You never do that; if you don't feel something, you don't pretend to.
It's a quality we would all be better for, yet so few of us are brave enough to achieve it.
*******
You've grown a lot over the past year—both physically and otherwise.
You could easily eat a 10 ft pizza sub—though you happily settle for a six inch version instead.
You want to be famous for designing a really cool building, when you grow up.
You only really want one gift, and that's a family dog.
You take your job as big brother very, very seriously.
You still hold my hand.
*******
We were travelling for your birthday this year, and that's something you love to do.
New places, new discoveries and adventures.
The day after you turned nine, we found ourselves in Drumheller, Alberta at the base of the Hoodoo Trail.
Without hesitation or consideration of your wariness of heights, you started to climb one of the highest and steepest rock faces. When the rest of us faltered halfway up, you kept going. You left everything about your cautious nature at the bottom.
You surprised us with your tenacity. As I stood with my heart in my throat and watched you get closer to the clouds, I knew you were being led by a need to see what the world looked like from the top.
And you made it.
Happy birthday, my boy.
May you always find something in the view that makes it worth the climb.
*******
This post is supported by Subway Canada.
Thanks for your pizza subs.
The story is my own.