Eric the merric

I have wanted to blog about Eric for the past couple of weeks. It's birthday season in our house and I really should be blogging on Emerson who turned three in February, but yesterday was Eric's birthday and so his name is at the top of the list.

Eric is the forgotten child. He does not mind on most days. When he was two years old we had a family meeting with the older kids. Basically to say that we each need to take time each day to draw Eric out. Eric is so content and happy wherever he is. He demands very little from anyone. Thus very easy to forget about. He is articulate. Always has been. He takes the world in, and then spits it back out in his own creative way. If left to himself he would be fine all day long. He is a lover of life, every single part of it and does not miss a beat. He goes off into his own world of play. Often I will respond to something he is saying and he lets me know he was not talking to me. Sometimes I even tease him a little knowing he is in his world of imagination and still responding to him.

He loves like no other. Loves and lets you know it, loves with his words, his arms, and his genuine acts of kindness. He's fair, he's a peacemaker. He is passionate to learn more about Jesus, what He might think or feel.

I have said for years that Eric is a carbon copy of his oldest brother Elliot. I was told on many occasions that Elliot was autistic. Elliot, like Eric will pull away from the crowd and watch. Eric, like Elliot is a friend to the down and out. This is about Eric, but perhaps had I not had Elliot I would have fallen into the labels placed on children who seem to appear a little off. Now at five years old Eric is Eric and no one would think him to be off. He is just one of those kids who finds passion, concentration, and excitement for what he is doing. He will go into long explanations of what is going on in his head concerning a project he is working on.

My most precious times of each day is quiet time. Emerson naps,Ethan is in school and so Eric has me all to himself for the better part of two hours. I need to have some down time too, so often this time is used for reading time. Eric gets to choose as many books as he wants, which is typically 4 or 5 books. We read together and then he hangs onto his special blanket and I will read my own book. Within minutes he is off into sleepy-land snuggled close to me.

Eric is five years old and is so amazing. Each child is so different. Eric has a calm temperament and most people find him to be so delightful. Never pressing on a nerve. I love that Eric does know when to assert himself. He is in between to very willful brothers and he is no push over.

Eric, papa was reminding you last night, while we ate our clown ice cream cones from B&R that you were so calm when you were first born. Kids love hearing over and over their birth story. Even today you are so calm. I love you, love who you are today, and pray over who you will become with each passing month. The world may not always be nice, but Jesus will protect your heart always.

Can a mother have greater joy than to watch her children growing up and enjoying life. Happy 5Th Birthday Eric.