Floating Upstream: Happy (Very Belated) Birthday, Sava

Dear Sava,

At least I am somewhat consistent in this year's pattern of writing this birthday love letter more than a bit over three months late. Three months ago, you became a teenager. Three months ago, we marked thirteen years of the joy and honor of having you in our lives. My eyes tear as I think of (and look at) the little boy you were--funny, with a sparkle in your eye, and always a ready smile. Things haven't changed much in that regard, but oh my, how you have grown in other ways.

It was spring break the week before your birthday, and we all were supposed to go camping at Joshua Tree. Raya got pretty sick the week before, and when it became clear that she would not be able to go camping, you begged us to please take you camping with just one parent. I admit that I was apprehensive about the idea of driving nine hours, just the two of us, to pitch a tent among the boulders, but I also realized that this was an unexpected opportunity to spend quality time together on the eve of your adolescence. That was one fabulous decision.

The trip showcased all of the qualities that make you such a remarkable thirteen-year old. When we got to the campground, you pitched the tent, and you disappeared among the boulders; you climbed like a goat, looked at birds, and genuinely admired--as only a sensitive soul can--the majestic setting of the Indian Cove campground. For the next three days, you rummaged through the guidebook, and you picked hikes every single day. You worried whether we had "enough" to do, and you took us on one remarkably long and enjoyable seven-mile walk through all of the landscapes that Joshua tree has to offer. You joked and made fun of me in adolescent but loving ways; you developed a language of our own in the span of a few short days ("that sounds like a YOU problem, mommy!"). I loved this time with you, and I loved celebrating your passage into adolescence with a camping trip.

So, what has happened in the past year? First of all, you've become a ZEALOT about birding and birds. We are not sure where this interest come from, and we work hard to keep up with you. I find myself noticing and hearing birds where there were no birds before. I recognize more than one species, and when I look at hikes, I always consider what the best spots for birding are. We love your obsessiveness, your attention to detail, and your passionate love for the little (and big--you love birds of prey) creatures. We love that birds take you outside and that they give you a way to discipline your attention.

In addition to birds, you've enjoyed being part of your first jazz band this past year. Like birds, the interest in saxophone came from you, not from us, and we have enjoyed watching you become not only a good musician but also someone who loves spending time in the company of other musically minded people .

In school, you tried cross-country, and you enjoyed playing on the tennis team as well. You liked being on Upper campus, despite my concerns that perhaps you'd be shy about having your mom there, and you seemed, as always, the boy who would be friends with everyone. Your teachers commended you for your focus, your enthusiasm, and your collaborative spirit. Mr. Carter ended the year by singing your praises as a writer, and Ms. Philips noted in all of her comments how positive and infectious you had been in your enthusiasm about math (at home you'd have us believe that you "hate" math, but it is obvious that you take pride and pleasure in your abilities).

In addition to birding, you continued to delight in the outdoors in general (hiking, fishing), and this winter you also discovered skiing during our first ever winter trip to Montana. While over the course of four days the rest of us graduated from the bunny slope to the "green" slope, you and your teacher Joe managed to ski down a few black diamonds by Friday. At the end of the week, you declared that skiing was your "favorite sport ever."

Most importantly, darling, you have been such a wonderful brother and son at home. Raya adores you, and the feelings are mutual. You two spend more quality time together than any other sibling pair that we know. You laugh, wrestle, hug, and play together. You hike holding hands (sometimes), and you look for each other first thing in the morning. I have so many pictures of you holding each other close that it would take a separate post to present them.