Happy 15th Birthday, Squirrel Boy

You are very silly (cut from the same cloth as herself beside you - moi!)

You are everything a Scout should be - and not in equal measures, because you are uniquely you.

God loaned you to me and I feel this more acutely as time passes by and you will finally be old enough to fly from this nest. If I do what is right, and love you with all my heart, I pray you will want to come back to visit me often.

You are the eldest son, my first born. You will always have a special niche in my heart of hearts. I am so proud to be a mother, and to a boy first. It is an awesome blessing to be a mother - and I thank God you have made it easy for me to be your mum. Let me tell you, son, the teen years you are in and the present challenges and those ahead, I promise to always love you and always be here for you; to encourage you, to love you, to correct you, and help you. I promise my prayers, too. My heart simply aches with love for you - that you love yourself, always do the right thing, help others, and never forget God. I ask Mary, Our Mother, to keep watch over you all the days of your life. Happy Birthday, son. I love you very very much.