Dear Bracken,

I love you.  You bring so much light, joy, giggles, and spontaneity to our family.  You are determined, you are hilarious, mischievous, happy, and you are kind.

I love the way you tell stories.  Demanding my captivated attention with your excitement, or if that’s not enough, your hand directing my face to look in your eyes.  Watching your building excitement and anticipation until you reach the climax, when you open your eyes and mouth wide and wait for my response, or ask, “Was that so awesome?!”

You are a manly, adventurous boy.  You are often doing flips on our couch, pushing your scooter at break-neck speed, jumping off big rocks or trying to climb trees. If I point out a beetle for you to look at, it only takes you a second to pick the squirming black bug up and put it by my nose so I can see it better. You love playing with rocks, dirt, and sticks.  The sticks (or a rolled up newspaper) are often used for sword-fighting with me.

It’s amazing to watch you “read” books.  You memorize even long story books word for word, along with the punctuation and voice changes we use when we read to you.  You have an incredible memory!

You soak up new ideas, games, and lessons.  You come up with your own and let me come along for the ride. You love when I’m chasing you and you’re laughing, when we’re outside playing tag, Pet-Store, or Milk Man. When we read stories snuggled, or build forts and break them.  When we go on adventures and treasure hunts. 

You have the best imagination.  We often have your imaginary friend squirrel “Springy” or little mouse friend “Todd Ellingford” playing with us on our walks, helping us do dishes, or jumping in trees to get away from the wolves. 

I love the way you watch out for your sister, tease her, protect her, and remind her to use her words, even though she doesn’t have many yet.  How you often choose to share your special blanket or toys with her when she’s sad.  You include her in most of your plans, adventures, and misadventures. You read her story after story. I love hearing you say, “Good morning Little Girl!” in the morning, “Hey Little Miss Tiny” throughout the day, and “Yes, you look pretty” when she puts on necklaces or flowers and comes to show you. You’re the brother every little girl should dream of having. 

I love when you come and climb in bed with me on a lazy morning, when Chandra is still asleep and I’m hoping to get a few more minutes in bed.  You’re ready to play, but you let me snuggle with you first.  I love your massive hugs when you try to “Squeeze the juice out” of me. How you say “close your eyes” and hurry to help me do dishes, clean a room, or hide and then jump out to surprise me.  You put lights on in my heart every day.

You are so proud of your Dad.  One day when Daddy moved a camper trailer and a stalled jeep all by himself you watched in amazement and said, “Wow Dad.  You are buff and brave and strong!” When he’s working at the ambulance you often ask me, “Who did he save today?...my Dad is so cool, huh?” You watch for him to come home, and throw kisses to him across the street if he forgets to kiss you goodbye before going to school in the morning. You love to play with him, build K’Nex with him, and just spend any fun time you can with him. Your Dad loves you and is proud of you too.  Like he often tells you, “You’re everything I ever wanted in a little boy!”

We’re so glad you’re in our family Bracken.  We love you!