You Are A Gift To This World

My sweet, sweet, JP,

Where do I begin? Today you turn 16! I don’t know why 16 is any different than any other birthday, except maybe 10 because you moved to double digits, or 13 because you moved to your official teenage years, and/or 21 because you will finally be legal. For me it is not different. Do you want to know why? Because everyday you live and breathe is so very special to me. You matter to me and you matter to this world! You my son are a beautiful human being that the world has been gifted with.

I truly believe this JP. You have such a future ahead of you and your future will be a gift to anyone lucky to be blessed by it. I see BIG things for you. Your talent is something people work years to have. God has blessed you unbelievably son. My prayer is you know this and you use this talent wisely. Talent like yours will bring happiness to a world that is desperate for it. How do I know this?

I know this because every time you are on that stage and you sing, you give your audience wings to their imaginations and their worlds open up… when you are on that stage and you dance, the worlds rhythms becomes a little more in sync…..when you are on the stage and acting the world becomes a little more calm……when you play the violin, the audience listens with awe and beautiful thing happens, their ears hear angelic music which brings peace….It is a beautiful thing that happens to those present when you are on the stage. It is a gift you have been given and one you get to give to the world.

Julie Andrews was quoted saying, “Music and the arts make a bridge across this world in ways that nothing else can.” You my son can be that bridge. You are that bridge! I hope you believe in yourself as much as I believe in you!

So on this 16 birthday son, know how very proud of you Dad and I are. Know how blessed we feel to have been given the gift of you! And know Son that we believe in you and the world needs you! Shine my boy! Shine!

Happy 16th JP!

All my love,

Mom