You are a person who gave me a purpose in life.  You focused my energy and helped me stop taking life for granted.  You gave me something to live for that was bigger than myself.  I didn’t know what it meant to truly value myself until I had you.

You are a person who has taught me the patience of saints, pain such as I’d never experienced before, responsibility, and humility.  So much humility.

You taught me that most holes in the wall can be patched.

You are a person who has taught me that raising children (and life in general) is an exercise in letting go.  Letting go of ideals, opinions, attitudes, expectations, attachment. Control is an illusion.

You are a person who has given me such a deeper understanding of profound love, such  as can only be experienced by a mother with her child.  You have brought me so many tears and sorrow, joy and wonder, and oh my god the laughter.

Qualities that will continue to be teachers for you are pride, desire, competitiveness, emotion, and a sense of certainty.

Qualities that you now possess as a blessing to others are your sense of humor, loyalty, love,  playfulness, thoughtfulness, seeking, support, sense of community, and faith.

You are a beautiful human and I am happy to know you, proud of the man you have become, and I have so much gratitude for you as an honored teacher in my life.