Gavin’s 7th Birthday

Gavin turned 7 today. I turned a “mama of a 7 year old.” I just spent 7 days celebrating three birthdays. I have three boys in my life and they all have birthdays in the same week. I am checking myself into the spa tomorrow. For a week. haaaahahahah!! Just kidding.

But not about any of the first 4 statements. But let’s talk about Gavin. When pondering about my first born, my 7 year old, my baby that arrived three weeks before his due date, my Spring Equinox blessing,…. I feel like I’m writing about a BOY today. Not a little boy. Not a toddler. Not a baby. I have felt a subtle shift in the last year. A shift from little boy to boy. From reserved, pensive, weary, unsure of himself, hesitant, quiet….. to ‘go get em’, active, more confident (sometimes too confident, sigh), head strong, eager, competitive, and sure-footed. It seems like his ego is coming out to play and he’s figuring out how to let that ego have a healthy go at it, while remaining in his heart.

Okay but as I was trying to find a picture to post today for his birthday, I saw this and I thought about it. It’s so perfect for this 7 year cycle. For both him and me.

Gavin, age 7, eating a hot dog. Like a real one. Beef. And his dad let him have it. And I did too. 7 years ago, or 2 years ago for that matter there’s no way in H E double L that we would have let him have a “real” hot dog. It brings me deep inner peace to know that all three of us have found balance around our dietary choices and habits.

On Gavin’s 1 st birthday, I made him a dairy free, sugar free, vegan cake. And on his 7th birthday he got hot dogs, smores, Doritos, and cupcakes. And Capri Suns.

It’s significant in our house that since March 20,2009 we have found balance, and confidence and peace with food, but on a larger scale….our lifestyle.

Gavin has brought so much to our lives…. and I feel like today we have come full circle to a way of being that we birthed 7 years ago.

My prayer is that you stay true to yourself, Gavin. I know I try to break your headstrong ways and (try to) get back my motherly control at times. But the truth is, I want you to be confident and sure of yourself and pave the way for others. I want you to use your wisdom and intelligence to move mountains. I pray that you find the grace to do so with integrity and humility because I know you are capable to do amazing things. Your positive and enduring outlook while your femur was healing was inspiring and educational for all of us who witnessed your experience.

You had three traumatic experience happen to you in less than a year; your kindergarten teacher passed away tragically, your were in a car accident and came out untouched, and you broke your femur and had two long surgeries within 2 weeks.

And you went back into that classroom with love and respect in your heart. You got back in a car and drove on the same road the very next day with confidence and faith. And you got back on your bike 4 weeks after you had a metal plate and 7 screws put in your femur.

Stay strong, dear Gavin. Be open to learning new ways. Practice humility and stay true to yourself. Follow your truth. And keep watching out for those turtles.

Happy 7th Birthday!