Two things. One, when you write a weekly blog, you decide the topic and content every time, and if you want to write something personal to your grandson, who’s gonna stop you? Two, grandparents love having connections with their grandkids, any connection, anything that links you with them. For the grandparents reading this, I know you understand.
So, Leo, happy birthday, buddy! You’re turning six, but you’ve really had only one birthday with your second one still two years away.
We’ve all told you this, Leo, but you don’t really get it yet, we can tell.
Most readers have figured out, Leo, that you were born on leap day. Your parents make February 28th special for you every non-leap year, and this year is no exception.
Throughout your life, you’ll have to put up with people saying things like, you’ve been alive forty years but you’re only ten years old. Pretty sure I can tell already that you won’t be annoyed by things like that; you’ll just laugh with them. That’s actually a connection you and I have. We like trying to make people laugh and usually end up laughing ourselves. You’re hilarious, Leo, and I’m so glad God made you my grandson, so we can have a blast just laughing together.
Another connection we have is that we both have the middle name Gabriel. When I was your age, I didn’t like my name. But when I grew up and learned what it means, I kind of liked it. Gabriel means Strength of God or God is my strength. I think it’s pretty cool that every time someone says our middle name, they’re declaring us to be made strong by the very strength of God.
Something else we have in common, something that connects us, is that we’re the second oldest of the kids in our families. That means we’re both a big brother and a little brother. Yes, we’re a middle child and we have some of those common traits, like not settling for being overlooked. But we’re close enough to the oldest child, in age to our oldest sibling to compete with them and to see up close the example they set for us. We’re also positioned to be close friends with the oldest of our siblings.
We do have a few differences. You’re one of four kids and I’m one of five. I have one brother and three sisters, and you have two brothers and one sister.
Getting back to common connections, you’re being brought up to love God and I was, too. I just hope you take better advantage of that training than I did.
There is one thing – actually two – that you have on me: I never was as handsome or as smart as you are.
And then another thing in common: you like tennis also. And it’s my privilege to give you your first racket for your birthday this year. I look forward to hitting tennis balls with you, buddy.
One last thing I’ll mention that we have in common, and this is HUGE: I too, had a very cool grandfather.
Everybody now:
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Leo Gabriel! Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday, buddy! I’m glad you’re my grandson!
