Dear Kiddo,

Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend. Your dad has been asking me what I want and, as usual, I haven’t given him much of an answer. Do you know why? Because I already have exactly what every mom wants for Mother’s Day – a wonderful child who I love and who loves me back.

You are kind, loving, and generous. Your magnetic personality draws everyone in around you, no matter what their age. You don’t ever make fun of people and you do your best to make sure no one else does either.

You are huggable and kissable and you don’t fuss when I do all that hugging and kissing. You are not (yet) embarrassed by me or by your dad and you like to have us around (you are 8 years old now … I wonder how many more years that will last?).

Despite all the difficulties that have been thrown your way, you continue to think positively. You don’t complain (much) about your restricted diet or your feeding tube, and your outlook on life is fantastic.

That’s not to say that you are an angel. You try my patience on a regular basis, and you can’t seem to remember anything I tell you (unless it is about something you want to do – then you never forget!). But that is to be expected; you are only human, and a boy at that.

Regardless of who you are or how you act, I am your mother and I will love you always. It just makes things that much better when I can honestly say that I am proud of you every day.

I am so enjoying watching you grow up, and I can only imagine what an amazing man you will become one day. I love you Kiddo!

Love, Mommy

McClatchy-Tribune photo