Gabriel turned one on November 23. This time last year, he and I were both in critical condition. It was a sobering Thanksgiving holiday and a Christmas season laden with healing, stabilizing bodies. I am truly grateful to be on the other side. It seems, already, to be so distant.
Mae and Ana made Gabe’s cake. They pulled out every scrap from our pantry worthy of a place on his cake. Dum-dums, starburst, smarties, red hots and colored sugar….
My parents came up to celebrate Thanksgiving and we had a small family party for him while they were here. He fell right in line with the typical baby cake eating smash, mush, and smear approach.
Gabriel also had a party while we were in Kentucky, visiting Samuel’s family.
We were smart enough to strip him down first and avoid the catastrophic destruction of his onesie.
Mamaw wanted him to dive into the whole cake. I was quite surprised that he was very unsure what to do. Almost as if he were testing the waters, he delicately put a couple of fingers in the icing.
We eventually just cut him a piece and then he wasted no time chowing down.
Gabriel, we are so blessed and joyful to have you. Your birth was surrounded by crisis, but your life has already been so completely saturated with laughter, beauty and gratefulness. God’s hand has already been heavy upon you. His presence evident. His heart poured out. We love you. Happy Birthday.
FUN!!