Someone else's legs to cling to

Dear Mom,

I love to see you walking by, taking a step every five minutes or so, because the Leafy Boy is clinging to your legs like a starfish on a rock.

I love it because it's not me, for a change, and I see him loving you more every day, running to you when he hears a terrifying sound, like the coffee maker or a loud bird, or his stomach gurgling. You are another place of safety for him, and the other kids as well, when YaYa walks over to you with her blankie, making it very clear that she wants to CUDDLE, NOW, or Kid A just wants to tell you all his stories.

It is beautiful to watch you being a grandmother. You are beautiful.

Happy, happy birthday. I'm glad we can be here with you.