The Baby is Eighteen! Here's to You Will.
William Jared,
Happy Birthday to you! I have now made three separate attempts to write this letter to you. The one I have been writing for years. A composition to commemorate your birth year, the year ahead and who you are in this time and place. And yet each time I open my lap top I sense this lump in my throat. My hands are somehow paralyzed and incapable of tapping the keys. This practice, letter writing, to you and your sisters for birthdays, is a treasure for me. A tangible way to reflect upon the year past. Document your growth, however, we are well beyond the height charts and percentiles. This growth, the type I write about, is not measurable in the same ways. I can't blurt out a statistic, slide my tape measure from crown to toe and be done. No, this requires focused thought. Looking back to the year past, being present in the now and then transferring all the potential and promise into words suitable for you, our now eighteen year old son. So please, bare with me. As this birthday in particular seems like quite the milestone, not only for you, but our family as well.
Eighteen years old. You are now considered an adult by the legal system. The implication of those words is not lost on me. Heed them. Please.
To begin with, let's take a look back at all that seventeen held for you. Last year you kicked off 2019 with a trip to the States to spend time with family and friends. Upon your return you jumped into football with a full training schedule, including a transfer to a new club, Austria 13. You were tenacious and committed and never gave up and those qualities earned you a spot on the first team. Although, when you made your debut appearance with the first team you also earned your first ever red card. Hot or cold with you, no in-between and on the pitch the emotions do run high. I understand and completely relate. Mostly.
Moving on, as a family here in Wien the first half of the year was filled with house guests. Unfortunately you were unable to participate in the traveling that was involved, mostly due to football and being in your last semester of high school. There was, however, a Rapid match with the Horels, and some local exploring while Pop and Nan were here. Your super fans had the privilege of witnessing your first goal with Austria 13. Pop and I were crying tears of joy as you contorted your body and stretched your boot to tap the ball across the line. Quite the dramatic finish! The fan club grew and not only did Pop and Nan see you play, but the Horels, the Martins, whom we have video documentation of cheering, "Go Billy!", and Gpa and Mema too. There was a short sided church tournament you participated in over the summer and Kayla and Mailee were super fans for that. All that to say, you had your own fan base for football, even in Austria!
Football aside, you graduated high school! What an accomplishment. We took senior photos along the canal, celebrated with a special meal and sent out announcements that confused everyone when they didn't have your graduating class or school printed on them. Go figure! Here we are, a high school graduate and I honestly don't know who was more excited to have this chapter of your education journey finished. You did it! We did it! It's done, woo hoo! Now on to the next. Which is a commonly asked question these days. Currently, the plan is to build out a Sprinter van, or something similar, and travel the States. Possibly while working camps, depending on the weather. California in the summer, surfing, rock climbing, etc., maybe the Colorado mountains and snow boarding in the winter. The job search has begun in order to fund this expedition too. You created your first CV, filled out applications and learned how to carry yourself in an interview. An invaluable life lesson.
Another incredible opportunity presented itself this summer through Blue Sky camp. Upon your decision to possibly change career paths from full time, professional footballer, to camp counselor, or something in that field, you researched camps and possibilities. Blue Sky was the answer and within forty eight hours of making this choice, the application was filed, an interview set and you were accepted as a junior camp counselor. Whoa. In late July you departed for Nairobi and an unforgettable adventure. This adventure also proved to be a bit of a misadventure as well. Or what we refer to as character growth, life lessons, etcetera. You were sent home early from camp as a disciplinary action and with that came many discussions following your return to Wien around leadership, accountability, constructive criticism, correction and grace. The details are not necessary to explain here, for the purpose of this letter, let's agree that it was an important piece of your year. As were the friendships that were established in that place.
With no school consuming your daytime hours, other than German class, you began volunteering with Oasis Refuge Center. You spend every Monday serving the community. Listening to the stories you return home with, the people you've met and how you've so willingly entered into it all floors me. I shouldn't expect anything less from you, and yet, I find myself in awe and grateful that you are you, with everyone and anywhere. Speaking of German class, you completed B1.1 and passed an exam at level A2.2 for your visa extension. To that I say, well done. Seriously, that is no small feat. The exam included a cultural integration portion that is worded and prepared in such a way to confuse the test taker. I know, I had to sit for the same exam. My results were not as positive as yours.
This past year was filled with a few other firsts: A trip to Lisbon, Portugal with Gillian and a cup match at Old Trafford with your Dad. Memorable on all accounts. You attended your first Dave Matthews Band concert with your Dad and I, went to your first club here in Wien with your cousin Eliza, ran with giraffes in Africa and you were even able to convince me to jump off a bridge with you while paddle boarding! Just saying.
Son, you make me braver than I thought possible. You believe the best about me. And everyone else too. The growth we've seen in and through you this past year has been monumental. Now, let's be honest, there are days when I still find myself reminding you to make your bed, to tame the laundry monster spilling out onto your floor and not to forget to spend some time reading. Wink, wink. And yet all of that isn't necessary because I know you are capable, responsible and can more than manage on your own. In fact, I do think you prefer to be alone. You chose to spend your actual birthday snow boarding, by yourself. The entire day on the mountain, including train and bus ride, with no one else. Just you. That requires a certain level of self confidence. Kudos. You are unafraid to tread off the well worn path. I have seen you walk into a room and alter the energy, just by your presence. What a gift. You are a truth teller and a lover and you, my son, will go beyond. You are a world changer. Whether you are meeting new friends at the skate park, rock climbing and bouldering with the locals or running through Prater, you have a way of drawing people in and including all. Cultivate that. Draw a wider circle. Stay connected to who you were created to be and find what makes your heart sing. Do that. And share the love with everyone around you. You make us proud. Simply by being you.
Here's to your year of eighteen. To you and the incredible gift that your life is. Take this spin around the sun and live it fully. May it be the best yet as you step into your next, whatever that may be. And as we always say, remember who you are and who's you are.
Love you more,
Lena x
Happy Birthday to you! I have now made three separate attempts to write this letter to you. The one I have been writing for years. A composition to commemorate your birth year, the year ahead and who you are in this time and place. And yet each time I open my lap top I sense this lump in my throat. My hands are somehow paralyzed and incapable of tapping the keys. This practice, letter writing, to you and your sisters for birthdays, is a treasure for me. A tangible way to reflect upon the year past. Document your growth, however, we are well beyond the height charts and percentiles. This growth, the type I write about, is not measurable in the same ways. I can't blurt out a statistic, slide my tape measure from crown to toe and be done. No, this requires focused thought. Looking back to the year past, being present in the now and then transferring all the potential and promise into words suitable for you, our now eighteen year old son. So please, bare with me. As this birthday in particular seems like quite the milestone, not only for you, but our family as well.
Almost three years old. Be still my heart.
Eighteen years old. You are now considered an adult by the legal system. The implication of those words is not lost on me. Heed them. Please.
To begin with, let's take a look back at all that seventeen held for you. Last year you kicked off 2019 with a trip to the States to spend time with family and friends. Upon your return you jumped into football with a full training schedule, including a transfer to a new club, Austria 13. You were tenacious and committed and never gave up and those qualities earned you a spot on the first team. Although, when you made your debut appearance with the first team you also earned your first ever red card. Hot or cold with you, no in-between and on the pitch the emotions do run high. I understand and completely relate. Mostly.
Moving on, as a family here in Wien the first half of the year was filled with house guests. Unfortunately you were unable to participate in the traveling that was involved, mostly due to football and being in your last semester of high school. There was, however, a Rapid match with the Horels, and some local exploring while Pop and Nan were here. Your super fans had the privilege of witnessing your first goal with Austria 13. Pop and I were crying tears of joy as you contorted your body and stretched your boot to tap the ball across the line. Quite the dramatic finish! The fan club grew and not only did Pop and Nan see you play, but the Horels, the Martins, whom we have video documentation of cheering, "Go Billy!", and Gpa and Mema too. There was a short sided church tournament you participated in over the summer and Kayla and Mailee were super fans for that. All that to say, you had your own fan base for football, even in Austria!
On the pitch.
Senior photos. Gosh, I love your smile.
With no school consuming your daytime hours, other than German class, you began volunteering with Oasis Refuge Center. You spend every Monday serving the community. Listening to the stories you return home with, the people you've met and how you've so willingly entered into it all floors me. I shouldn't expect anything less from you, and yet, I find myself in awe and grateful that you are you, with everyone and anywhere. Speaking of German class, you completed B1.1 and passed an exam at level A2.2 for your visa extension. To that I say, well done. Seriously, that is no small feat. The exam included a cultural integration portion that is worded and prepared in such a way to confuse the test taker. I know, I had to sit for the same exam. My results were not as positive as yours.
This past year was filled with a few other firsts: A trip to Lisbon, Portugal with Gillian and a cup match at Old Trafford with your Dad. Memorable on all accounts. You attended your first Dave Matthews Band concert with your Dad and I, went to your first club here in Wien with your cousin Eliza, ran with giraffes in Africa and you were even able to convince me to jump off a bridge with you while paddle boarding! Just saying.
Sharing the enthusiasm!
Here's to your year of eighteen. To you and the incredible gift that your life is. Take this spin around the sun and live it fully. May it be the best yet as you step into your next, whatever that may be. And as we always say, remember who you are and who's you are.
Love you more,
Lena x
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