Dear Hudson,
It hardly seems possible, but you and I now have a 2 year relationship going! You stole my heart on June 22, 2014 and I can’t imagine what life would be like without you there. I continue to be amazed at just how quickly time passes. I was looking at some pictures this morning of the day you were born and you were so little. We thought you were the most handsome boy ever born. Now look at you. You get handsomer and handsomer (I know that’s not really a word) every day — much like Poppo.
Speaking of Poppo — that’s what you call me now. At first I thought you would call me Poppa, but as we all have learned, you have a mind of your own and you decided that my name would be Poppo. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anybody else call their granddaddy by that name, so I really like it. And that is one of the advantages of being the first grandchild — you get to name your grandparents.
As with every year, our family had a milestone event during the last year. Aunt Danielle (you call her Deevs) got MARRIED! I know…how exciting is that? You were in the wedding and you stole the show. She married Nate (you call him Knuckle Nate). It was a beautiful wedding and our family was there to celebrate. Deevs and Knuckle Nate are teachers in North Carolina and you like to go and visit them with mommy and daddy. Teachers have VERY IMPORTANT jobs and Deevs and Knuckle Nate are very good at their job. Maybe you will grow up to be a teacher one day.
By the way…YOUR life is about to really change. For 2 years, you have been an only child. But as you know, you are going to be a big brother in just a few weeks. In September, we will get to meet Harper Lane. PREPARE YOURSELF NOW! I don’t know what it is about babies, but they create a lot of excitement and people are going to expect you to be a “big helper” for mommy and daddy. I’m sure you will do your very best. You already are very quick to let me know that you can do things all by yourself. But I’m telling you…this is going to be unlike anything you have ever experienced.
All the attention is going to be on Harper for a while. That’s ok. She’s your sister. When she first gets here, you might think everybody has forgotten about you. They haven’t. It’s just that very little babies require a lot more attention than big boys like you. You’ll be tempted to try and do things to get noticed…but let me tell you from personal experience…just lay low for a while. You might think the things you are doing are funny, but probably nobody else will. They will accuse you of “acting out” and “being jealous.” That’s why it’s best for you to just chill for a few months and let everybody get used to this new baby. Hang out with Poppo…I have a lot of experience flying under the radar. I’ll be there to help you out!
I have a sister. Her name is Brenda (you call her Aunt B). I was three years old when she was born. I love my sister very much…NOW. But at first, I thought she had come to take all the love my momma and daddy had away from me. I didn’t like that thought at all. I quickly learned that my momma and daddy (Granny and Popple) had so much love that they were able to love me AND Brenda. And I promise, your momma and daddy have that much love too. Help them take care of Harper and as she grows, you will be able to “show her the ropes” since you will have been around a lot longer. She will need a good friend she can always count on. That will be YOU. You and Harper will probably fuss and fight a little (that’s normal), but in the end, she will always know she can count on you whenever she needs you. That’s the way it is supposed to be with families.
Here’s a verse from the Bible I want you to remember. It’s Proverbs 20:11 and it says, “Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.” As you grow, I will remind you of this verse pretty often. Your parents are doing their very best to teach you right from wrong so you will make good choices in your life. Your momma and daddy love you very much and they are doing a great job raising you. Pay attention to what they teach you. Popple used to say to me — “remember who your momma and daddy are.” That was good advice then and it is today as well.
Well that’s it for today. I love you so much. You have the gift of being able to make me smile no matter how I feel. Remember…no matter where you go or what you do, we will always love you.
I love you Scooter.
Love,
Poppo
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