He’s my fourth son… and among FiveBeautifulSouls who have taught me more about Life and Love and Forgiveness and Hope and Surrender than any others. Thank you, FourthSon and cheers to you, to us, on your 27th!
Me AKA “Mammy”
He calls me Mammy. Paw and Mammy. He’s just so funny and incredibly responsible, logical, dreamy, and did I mention hilarious?! He’s the photo bomber in our family of shy picture-posers. If there’s a bomb opportunity, he’s the one blowing it up.
The deepest laughter that I have ever experienced was listening to a conversation between FourthSon and OtherSon (one of my many other children, born of other parents but ours in heart.) “Mah legs… I can’t feel mah legs…” I know it doesn’t make sense, but I am still laughing out loud right now as I recall the snippets of convo… ah, medicine for my soul.
FourthSon wasn’t a surprise. We knew another boy had chosen us to come through and experience this incarnation. Not gonna lie, finding out I was having another son did shake me up a bit… after three sons, I thought maybe a daughter would be a fun change of pace… God had other plans and it has made all the difference in my life.
It was an easy pregnancy. I gained just a few pounds, a little basketball is all. He was small at birth and super duper chill. He saved up all his demands and late nights for high school. 😉
Truth be known, we’re a lot alike. (fist pump!)
There was a time when he would not have seen this nor wanted to admit it… but recently he commented, “sheesh, Mammy… I seem to be more and more like you the older I get…” (another fist pump!)
At 27 years old now, he is a most kind, grounded, responsible, thoughtful soul… and together with his Bestie girlfriend of ten years, Bailey, they’re quite a dynamic duo. They’ve got hopes and dreams together, as well as Oliver and Sushi and most recently Bonnebelle, our grand furbabes. Soon there’ll be a first-house purchase… and perhaps little voices giggling, “Eema, bake more cookies please!”
But I get ahead of myself…
Today, I am thankful for this FourthSon. It is because of him that I am more thoughtful, more faithful, more introspective. He has taught me well, patient soul he is, and I know he has more to share with me on our journey together.
Here’s to you, Austin Julian… named for my family and your Grandma Julie. You have been among the best vibrations to come into our tribe. I totally dig your balanced countenance, showing me that work is important but friendships, recreation, and naptime are non-negotiables as well. Yes, loving others is a must, but even before that is loving self… and you’ve been a shining example of loving without needing because you already love yourself. Such a big, big teaching you’ve shared, thank you for this. Again and again, thank you.
What if life is less about conquering and more about discovering, exploring… the adventure?
FourthSon (told ya, so wise, insightful; he’s a thought-provoker fo sho)
In some little corner of my heart, he’ll always be “Baby Austin” to me… little brother to OldestSon, SecondSon, and MiddleSon, older brother to Daughter. He’s the perfect fit, wiggled right in there among the introverted, perfectionistic, and slightly socially awkward souls that we are… he’s the flavor, the fun colors, the depths. He keeps us on our toes and outside our comfort zones.
I will happily, joyfully, thankfully continue to count on him to hug, find humor, offer quiet, deeply wise perspective, show up late, always hold grateful space… and photo bomb those infrequent picture poses…
Cheers to my favorite FourthSon.
If today you find yourself nostalgic, me too… and here’s a hug.
Edge-y, joyful, pondering…
Lisa
Licensed Sound Therapist
Certified Mind-Body Coach
If you like these ponderings, please check out my 30-day journals. They’re just perfect for someone like you. 🙂 Downloadable pdfs on a variety of topics. Sure to encourage, inspire, motivate, and create meaningful ponderings. ❤
Writing Every Day Down 