- my second baby is now a young man... taking his first steps in the direction he wants to take his life... a lot of exciting things going on for him, and I'm over the moon happy for him... 

Whenever I see this picture,

my heart melts as much as

on the day you paddled over

to the side of the pool for this

impromptu kiss of sweetness.

My, how time has gone quickly!

But here were are, you're a fine

young man, and you're on your

way in the direction you wish

to take your life - it's begun.

A place of your own, a job to

take care of all these "adult"

things all must at one time or

another begin to manage, and

a promising career in waiting.

Basic training about to begin

finally after all these months of

waiting during this virus crisis.

When you called me to tell me the

great news, been giddy ever since.

You sound so happy, and so

ready to take it all on.  Your

enthusiasm and excitement

very palpable, making me

feel ecstactic for all this good.

You've had to fight so hard

to get to where you've arrived.

But I always knew that you

could - just by your caring

nature about what's important.

Pushing through anything,

you have proven time and again

to yourself that you are capable

of achieving what you want. The

pool one a perfect first example.

I remember how everything

was so much hardship, how

discouraged and frustrated

you would feel about it all.

But with time, all the efforts

which you had to put in, started to

yield a small place for victories.

And as time went on, they became

more and more frequent, until these

efforts weren't needed anymore.

It's without any doubt in my mind

that I know you'll carry on this way.

My sweet, caring son, with a darling

heart, I'm so very happy for you. How

I adore you, you know I always will.

Although you're a young man now, and

those little cheeks aren't as prevalent

as they most adorably once were,

you'll nonetheless always remain

« Ma belle p'tite face »  (wink)