Unconditionally

I hope one day you will understand.  

Right now you are so strong willed that it hurts me, and strains me.  Every time you have to go to time out or have to be disciplined, it isn't fun for me and your father.  It's worse when you rebel.  I fear the teen years, but maybe it won't be so bad.  At this stage, you hiss at me, or tell me how much you hate me or want me to go away.  Sometimes I think that maybe a harsh reality of me actually leaving and going somewhere for a while might do you good-but then I fear the possibility it might be too harsh.  

Sometimes my patience wears thin and I snap back by raising my voice in response.  I'm so very sorry for that.  I know you're learning so many things, every single day of your existence.  I'll tell you a secret-I'm learning something new too-every single day.  From me to you, I want you to always know that I love you.  I read somewhere that a parent needs to remind a naughty child that they aren't unhappy with the child, rather they are unhappy with the child's behavior.  I try.. to do this with you.  It's true, I'm not unhappy with you and I don't stop loving you.  I discipline you because I love you and I want you to grow up and be a responsible person as a part of society.  I love you unconditionally, no strings attached.

I hope one day you will understand.

The Soundtrack of your life

Dear Sam,

I hope you always love music.  You have been around music on a regular basis since before you were ever born.  It's amazing how much music will play a part in your life.  Like smell, music can take you back to memories of your past like a time travel device.  They'll take you to happy times, sad times and just, well, just take you back.  I realize more and more how music can also help you remember how to live-by giving you hope, faith and determination.  Live like you've got your mama watching over you or a child watching you.  Tell others when you're sorry and don't let people walk all over you.  Live like you're dying and don't forget you'll always be my baby.

I thought I'd jot down some of the songs that you may recognize later in life and hope you'll remember the good times.

• Three Little Birds by Bob Marley (video)
• Amazing Grace
• The City of New Orleans
• Theme song to Brave
• Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season
• Highway to Hell aka as Highway to Help by a certain Sam 
• Hard Times by Arlo Guthrie