Today was finally a year we were at home for your actual birthday, and I could hang the balloons in the hallway for you to run through. You initially looked hesitant and not to excited, but once you ran through those balloons, the smile on your face was instantaneous! That's what having you felt like Jace. I was a little hesitant, and probably not to smiley knowing I was about to have a double surgery, but the minute I held your body in mine the smile landed on my face and never left. You are so, so, so loved my son. How I love the Earth now since you've been in it.
I could have never known then the little boy you were going to blossom into. Curious, inventive, strong willed, kind hearted, loving, strong and smart; I can't even begin to touch the surface and tell you how amazing you are.
We bought you a keyboard this year, because you watched the movie Cocoa and was enamored with Miguel, who wanted to be a musician. My dad and his dad were musicians. They were so talented. Self-taught playing the accordian and guitar they didn't read music, but they could jam in perfect harmony. You have their ear Jace. You do. You have so many Baskall talents, my goal is to make your believe you can harness any one of them and become whomever you were destined to be in this world Jace.
Too many amazing Baskalls gave into fear and practicality. They never lived their dreams, despite having numerous talents beyond measure. You are so many things and can be so many things. Now YOU have to just have a dream and I will support you 100% in it!
You are:
An engineer
An athlete
A musician
An inventor
A writer
A storyteller
At Adam's Camp this past year, you wrote you wanted to be a construction worker. I laughed and told you, "Oh Jace. You can own the whole damn company! Dream bigger baby. Dream bigger."
I know you are the Baskall legacy. You are the boy who is going to fulfill the American dream for his ancestors, ancestors who fled persecution, worked as indentured servants before earning their citizenship, all in the quest to live the American dream. Above all though Jace, if you are happy in life, and you are living a life that is both prosperous and of service to others, this will make me and YOU the happiest. Remember what Ghandi said, "We find ourselves, when we lose ourselves in the service of others."
Love you so much.
Love,
Mom
