Sam has worked so hard to master monkey bars for the past year. I admire your strength and persistence so much, Sam.

Dear Sam,

Your concentration is palpable in this picture I took today at the base playground. You have every playground and the options for monkey bars and rings memorized. You name the playgrounds accordingly: 7-ring playground, 10-ring playground, 5 option playground (with the MOST options for monkeybars and rings anywhere on the island!). You also describe your day according: “It was a 10-ring day, Mom!” Now you’re going across AND back on the monkey bars. I felt my own sense of elation when my hands were finally dry enough and the bars high enough that my feet didn’t hit the ground – I managed to get all the way across! I know how you feel now. And it’s been fun to jump off things at playgrounds, with your approval of course. You love to jump off just about anything! Right now it’s off the deck benches AND over the hibiscus.

You know what else I admire about you? Your strength and fortitude under other conditions, like being sick. You never complain. Truly. I can’t think of a time that you have EVER complained about any aspect of being sick – not coughing, nose running, tired. Nothing.  You just bear down and get through it. You know who else does that? Your dad. He never complains. But Mommy gripes. I get through it and I push myself and never let up, but I do complain!  I don’t like to be slowed down. And I’ll let you know as soon as I’m in the prodrome, for sure.  

And lastly (I could go on but when you’re able to digest this all you’ll be 13 probably and hoping I keep my “Dear Sam” letters brief!), I admire your love of music. You love to listen to Eddie Kamae, Ten Feet, and The Band. You bring out lots of instruments for us all to play every afternoon, telling us when to join in after you do your uke solo. You’re playing your scales and ripping right through songs you know well. You have been doing chord progressions, too, which I love to hear because you enjoy strumming so much.

Sam, I love you very much and have treasured every day with you. I am wondering how sad I’ll be on your first day of Kindergarten. I know it’s a big step and I’m looking forward to it for you, but man I’ll miss you, our bike runs, trail runs, mudding, playground hunting, and all our other adventures.

Love,