Dear Aiden,

Hey Boog, you’re 2 years old now and you are starting to really talk. When I took you to Halli’s 2nd Birthday party you repeatedly said “No” when I tried to put you in the bounce house. You would see the other kids in there and you would take your shoes off and start to climb in the entrance and then you’d get scared and start crawfishing quickly repeating “no, no, no, no, no, no, no,” and shaking your head as if I was trying to force you into a blender – head first.

Even though you never got into the bounce house you delighted yourself by pulling a wagon around the gym and when you got bored with pulling, you enjoyed riding. I don’t get to see you as much as I like and so I would have pulled you around that gym until my arms fell off.

When it was time for Halli to open all her presents you thought you would help. You found a ball that you thought might be yours and you brought it to me and said, “Ball”. I told you yes it was a ball but it was Halli’s. You seemed to be having so much fun that you didn’t mind putting the ball back, but when I wasn’t looking you thought you would steal a bow. I have to admit there were a lot of kids there but you were one of the cutest.

Later we played a game of hide and seek and at one moment you squeeled with delight and I pick you up so fast and hurled you… right into a light hanging from the ceiling. Uncle Eddie often forgets how tall he is and your head seems to take a beating everytime I am around. You cried and I felt so bad because we were having so much fun. But this is a good time for you to learn that sometimes life delivers a bump on the head even from someone that loves you so much that he would give you everything, even his life, to make you happy.

My favorite thing is still watching you dance. Dancing has always been something that has been such a special part of my life. When I am down I can always dance and the world disappears and I don’t remember bumps on the head or kicks in the butt. For a brief moment there is a calm and a serenity and so much joy. That is a gift and I am so happy that you like to dance because sometimes life is hard and sometimes an escape is good, even if it is for a moment.

Grandma calls me often and since you have been living with her you seem to be all that she talks about. You are a bright light in our lives and I never fully understood the power of a child. The sweet innocence, the simple joys in discovery and exploration, and how when you do something sweet, when you rub my face, or lean into me for a moment I feel like God himself has reached down and brushed my cheek and said I love you.

I will always be there if you need me.

Love,

Uncle Eddo