Oh, Grant Micheal

You are so independent

And I am so proud of you

People brag about how good you are all of the time

Feels like they are bragging on me too

You've always been good natured

Since you were born

Calm

Peaceful

You have your moments though

We all do

You can't stand to be cooped up

It brings out your temper

But let you run freely on the beach, on a trail, or at the park you are one happy kid

I guess most kids love the outdoors that way

But you never fuss when you have a little running room and some fresh air

You don't whine when you're hot or hungry or thursty

I have to remind you to come and eat or take a drink most of the time

I really love when you take my hand to show me something you've discovered

The other day when we went to play and swim at the beach you discovered the crab holes

It was about dusk

All the little ghost crabs were starting to come out and comb the beach for food

I was sitting on the sand next to the water digging you a hole

You don't like sand castles...

you knock them over as soon as I start to build them up

Anyway...

You were chasing the waves as they washed up on the beach

I guess all of a sudden you noticed the little ghost crabs

As the were running to safety back in the holes

I make up stories for you now about the "crab kings" and how they build sand castles for you and you are an explorer in a new world...

You were so excited

You appointed me as the Crab Catcher

Sorry, you picked the wrong person kiddo

I tried anyway

...with no success

You turned into a dare devil

poking your little finger into the crab burrows

...brave little soul

I think one got you because you jerked your finger out and looked at me all funny

You have a very high pain tolerance

Plus a simple kiss from Momma and you are healed

I love that

Then you got the bright idea that I should stick my finger in the little devil crab holes

That was a hilarious idea to you

You kept saying "You do it, you do it....DO IT"

 No way, Jose!

You laughed until your face turned red...

Little prankster

I love our evenings on the beach

Memories I'll treasure for all of my days

I love when Daddy walks over to join us

I like to lay down on the warm sand with my toes in the water and watch you two play

It calms me

Your laugh calms me

It reminds me of how good God is to us

It's the small simple things that only he can give us that makes all the hard times seem doable

Your little voice talking

You laugh

The love that Daddy and me have for you

Warm sand

A warm ocean

Little ghost crabs to make us laugh

A warm sunshine

Cool sea breezes

And a simple thought to slow down and drink it all in

God is good child

Remember that

Remember to slow down and soak it in

It makes getting through the daily struggles easier

Knowing that if you need to...

You can stop at any second...

look around...

feel...

the warmth of the sun

A beautiful sky

fresh air...

a free country...

God has blessed us sweet boy

In so many ways...