Twelve!

Ah, Jonah, how did we get to your twelfth birthday already?!    How clearly I remember holding my newborn Jonah - you were light enough to lift with one arm and your head fit into my palm.  Now we are nearly head-to-head, and this will likely be the last year that I am taller than you!

Yesterday, you started middle school - a big transition! All of your emotions over the past week: excitement, nervousness, fear, uncertainty . . . these all coalesced yesterday afternoon when you got off the bus grinning, "It was a breeze, Mom!" 

You've become increasingly independent over this past year and you are so ready for middle school! 



You are still happiest when you're in motion. 

Whether it is running with the dog, flipping on the trampoline, biking, swimming, or tree-climbing: this motion completes you!  You fell in love with soccer this year: you've always enjoyed soccer but this year something clicked and you LOVED it!  You've found your niche on defense and while you're not a super-star, you are a solid and dependable player and you work hard on the field. 

I am so proud of the compassion you show others.  You happily work with other kids who might not be the easiest, or most sought-after.  I love this about you.  You are a steady and loyal friend and I've had glimpses this year into the importance of those solid relationships you've built with your close friends.  You've become confident in yourself: Ms. A. from Loring shared with me one of the qualities she admires in you: "Jonah is true to himself and he does not try to change or adapt to others' perceptions of him."  You will need this strength in the next few years. 

Much of this year was spent learning and re-learning responsibility and taking your work seriously.  You love to do things well; the flip side of this is that you don't want to try something if you're not sure you can do it well. Or spend time working on something that is hard or something which doesn't feel comfortable.  This is the down-side of perfectionism.  I know it well.  You and I are so alike in some ways.  My wish for you is that you will internalize solid work and study-habits now rather than learning this lesson the hard way.  I know that most lessons must be learned through experience, so this is an outside hope. . . 

Your sharp tongue is both a joy and frustration.  You are funny, sarcastic and love word play.  Unfortunately, this also means back-talk, word games, and getting the last word in during an argument!  But . . . You're not supposed to get the last word- I am!!!  (and therein lies the crux of most of the clashes between the two of us.)

You continue to enjoy music and your trombone and piano play a big role in your identity.  I'm glad you will continue band in middle school and I hope you continue to love it as you have.  The compliments you receive when you play publicly sustain you and I look forward to your concerts and solos.  Here is the video of one of your piano solos from this past Sunday when you played during the church service:

I love you, Jonah, and wish you a year filled with joy and harmony!

xoxo
Mom