four-year-old you

 Four years ago, on Good Friday, you made your entrance into the world.  Just two days overdue, you were beautiful, healthy, scrumptious--all 9 lbs 2 oz of you.  You were easy-going from the start, and maintained your robust build through plentiful nutrition.  You were my champion nursling, and so happy.  You were just the calm that I needed then.

 You fit perfectly into our bunch, yet proved different from your older siblings--in your cool demeanor, and also your looks with your course (and very straight) hair, and natural tan.  You were round and brown.  I got asked all the time if you had been out in the sun--you were that dark.  You at 3 months:

 So bright-eyed and fun at one:

 You never caused too much of a fuss, and always seemed to go along with the big kids.  You were my gentle giant--calm and cool in almost any situation.  Here's you at two:

  And today you are four.

 Sometimes I'm shocked at how you seem to have grown up overnight.  The baby chub is all gone, and the turmoil from your lingering threeness is disappearing too.  There are moments I stare into your changing face and wonder what kind of man you will grow up to be.

I'm praying you will come to know the Lord at an early age--that you will understand the monumental importance of the events that surrounded that first Good Friday--Christ's death as payment for your sins.  May you understand and accept that soon, and may you have a heart set on obedience, and a mind set on wisdom.  Chase the important things.  And keep smiling.

Love you, Buddy.