you have been with me the longest.   Fourteen years.  That’s 1/3 of my life, and all of your life.  It hit me yesterday as I watched your cousin graduate that on Monday it is your turn to graduate Grade 8.  Your graduation is all that much more bittersweet as you have made some tough decisions.  Decisions that I am so proud of you for.  Decisions that I probably wouldn’t have made at your age.  Decisions that show you are wiser beyond your years and ready for much more then what the present holds for you. You have decided to leave your familiar surroundings and embark on a new journey.  To this date, you have by far surpassed any and all expectations I had of you.  When the Dr put you on my belly some 14 odd years ago, I remember poking you, thinking “what am I going to do with this??” I didn’t know the first thing about being a mother, and sometimes I still don’t know what the heck I’m doing.  You have grown into a fine young teenager.  Your smile lights up a room, you are smart and funny and your “knee slappers” get me every time!  You hug me when I’m down, you make me laugh, cry, smile and above all else, you make me proud to be your mom.

Congratulations on your graduation…and please forgive your mom as she bawls on Monday.  You know me, a sensitive, cry-babying soul.

We love you Brady.