Tuesday, November 10, 2009

My Birthday Boy

jacob

I have always thought that Jacob would make the perfect Campbell's Soup commercial kid. Don't you think? As I was thinking on which photo of him I would share today I knew this should be the one. It is my favorite. I took it a few years ago on a very snowy day while sledding at the park. I don't think that there is a photo that better catches who he *is* to me.

I am feeling very reflective today about Jacob and his life so far and what it will be someday. And maybe it is because of the stream of questions he has had for me over the past several hours. Mostly, "what were you doing at this time in 1997?" and then a few hours later he asks again "what were you doing now? what were you thinking? what were you feeling?" How can it be that my little boy has grown so big. Where did the time go? I can barely believe that today he is twelve.

There are many moments lately that I think I can see the man in him waiting to be grown up. I notice it in the way he carries himself, they way his body moves, the shape of his hands, the quickness of his wit, the heart in his laugh, and tenderness in his sad moments. I can feel in my being that he is going to be a kind and caring, gentle and loving, devoted and funny, strong and supportive, intelligent and imaginative man. I can't wait to get to know him better. But for now, I am thankful to still have him saying "I love you Momma," before leaving for school.

Happy Birthday Jacob, I love you more than you'll ever know.

15 comments:

mairedodd said...

happy birthday jacob! isn't it amazing when you see the glimpses or man-child or woman-child? hope your family enjoys the day... campbell soup kid for sure - what a great photo!

Yvette said...

Oh my gosh 12! I am still coming to terms with the impending 6th birthdays of my girls. Where does the time go indeed?

Holly said...

oh that made me tear up! Happy Birthday Jacob!

(he would be a great campbell's soup kid. i think it's the freckles)

deehebard said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB!
What a lovely way to describe your special boy....He is so lucky to be loved so deeply by his Mom.

mary s said...

I can see the sweetness all the way from here - in the photo you chose as well as in other photos of your 3 children together, and the way he smiles with them and puts him arm around them. I have 3, too - not only boy, boy, girl, but 12, 10, 8 so pretty close to yours, right? - and I'm not sure mine get along as well!

Kristen said...

Happy Birthday Jacob! You're doing a great job of making your mom proud! :)

Ann Hiltner said...

just lovely, Kerry

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful boy! happy birthday to him.
i have a son who is also 12. i look at him sometime and think about how quickly time has passed.

Meredith said...

What a beautiful picture, and heartfelt birthday tribute too. Happy Birthday Jacob, and many more...

Nonie Fajao said...

Happy Birthday Jacob!!!!!!

Jolene said...

A wonderful picture, Kerri, and a beautiful piece of writing. Lucky Jacob to have such a talented and tender-hearted mom.

Ellen said...

A kind heart - I can see it in his face.

Alyse Bukoski said...

Are you posting the pieces that you did not sell so we can buy them :)?

Cindy said...

Kerry, I hope Jacob had a WONDERFUL 12th birthday!!! That is really the cutest picture of him ever.

Anonymous said...

I have to say, I was "googling" images of the campbell soup kids because we keep on telling my son he looks like one of them. Your blog came up on the search and I was a bit surprised to see my son's twin (or at least brother) up on the screen. It must be the freckles!