Turned 6, but celebrated 2nd birthday?

Ryland got 2 cards in the mail today for his birthday.  (Sidebar, we’re part of a Kaz Kids Birthday Card Group and it is SUPER COOL for him to receive birthday cards from Kaz Cuties all over!)  He was very excited and super proud.  As he displayed his cards on the mantel, he told me that he was having so much fun turning 6 that he couldn’t wait until his 3^rd Birthday when he turns 7.  He’s mentioned this a couple times lately, but I’ve just ignored it.  I was now curious.  So I asked him about it.  He told me that this is his 2^nd Birthday and that last year when he turned 5 was his first birthday.  At first, I was thinking…”what a thoughtful little boy!  His birthdays just weren’t birthdays until he celebrated with us!”  I’ll admit, I was proud of him…proud of our family and friends for making his day so cool.  Then he kept explaining to me.  “I didn’t have birthdays when I was 4 or 3 or 2 or 1.  No one had party for me.  I don’t know why.  Will I have a party when I turn to 7?”  And I lost it.  I was home alone without Dustin to save me and I just lost it right in front of him.  Sobbing.  Mess.  I got it together briefly and told him that we’d always have a party for his birthday and he ran off to go play.  I sat there stunned…sad…and relieved all at the same time.  The things I’ve taken for granted my whole life…like having a birthday party…has made this child’s. 

 

I fall apart when I think of the birthdays that Ryland has had without us, but am SO grateful that he’ll never have to have another birthday just slide right by…ever again.

 

Cort