Monday, October 20, 2008

Turning Six



We have said good bye to 5 and are now onto 6. It's different. It's been a bit different for a month or so. He's more him and less us. He's adding to the conversation. He mimics less but still asks and asks and asks. He wants to know now. The weekend started with presents and fun and ended in the woods on a lake. Cold but with the sweet wood smoke autumn air at a memorial hootenanny for a friend's father. And in between a party at home with 10 or so little boys (and one little girl) running around inside and out living completely in the moment and happy. The little girl, 5 years old asked if she could play the violin and so right after the Happy Birthday song and while we all devoured our cupcakes she played her violin. It's wonderful. And yet all the while I am thinking - 'Five is gone? That's it? How? Where did it go? No. I'm not ready. I want it back. Now. I'm not kidding.'
And yet I cannot deny that I love 6 already. Love that he is becoming more of himself. Love that he is adding to the conversation. Love what he remembers and how he's stretching his independence. Love that he is trying to figure out where we end and he starts. I love it, I do. I just want more. And when he blew out the candles on his birthday cookie (yes, cookie) I made a wish with him. I wished that every child turning 6, every child all over the world who turns from 5 to 6 and all the children younger and older than that too would know the happiness and love and security that Q has already known. And while I wished for something I knew was not yet possible I prayed that God might give me the knowledge and strength to help make it so.

12 comments:

QB said...

Happy birthday Q! Hope you love 6.

los cazadores said...

Happy Birthday to Q. Lovely photos.

Cindy

paige said...

Happy Birthday, sweet Q! Sounds like you are off to a splendid new year.

-C said...

Happy Birthday Q!

It is hard watching them grow up so fast. But 6 is a great age. Remember soon you will get to do it all over again with your little Habesha.

Charlotte

Tracey said...

Happy Birthday Q!

Unknown said...

I agree with Charlotte, I think the wistfulness you feel at saying goodbye to 5 is knowing that you don't get it back and that each year will seem to go just a wee bit faster til you wonder where they have all gone.... Happy Birthday Q, may 6 be filled with wonderful days and many blessings!

VALARIE said...

He is such a handsome little guy. I'm glad that those slow responding party goers showed up it sounds like a good time.

Adoption Cubed said...

What a handsome young man! Happy Birthday to Q! Six is such a fun age! I know I will be feeling the same emotions in a couple of months when we welcome the seventh year!

Your wish? Lovely. It brought tears to my eyes.
Rebecca

Julie said...

Sweet, sweet, lovely post. Happy Birthday young man.

Tami said...

Happy Birthday Q! This is a big year for you, you are 6 and you will be a big brother soon! Enjoy.

Evelyn said...

Happy birthday, Q! Kristine, you sound like a wonderful mom.

Unknown said...

Now We are Six
When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

A.A. Milne