A Letter to Tom

Tuesday, 20 July 2010

Dear Tom,

So, this Saturday you get married. I felt I didn’t want the occasion to pass without penning a few words to you. I hope you don’t mind a few people reading along…promise I won’t embarrass you!

At the very least, I want to record how very grateful I am to have been given the privilege of bearing, giving birth to and bringing up such a very special person as you.

From the moment we knew that you were on your way, we loved you. And when we saw the ginger head and bright eyes, and heard the foghorn voice, we loved you more.

The prophetic word given at your dedication that you would “ask questions and get God’s answers” was certainly fulfilled as you went through childhood asking SO many questions, you face furrowed with sincerity. “Why mummy?”

Quick to walk, talk, run, read, develop skills…and always sensitive to the feelings needs of others, showing real kindness to those in need of help, even me, on occasion. (Remember, “Mum, we’ll get through these hard times?!”)

Often up to mischief, always chattering, from a young age, a boy whom other children readily followed- a leader in the making.  Even on the Sunday you went forward at church and declared your commitment to Jesus, others of your age came out and did the same.

Always passionate and gifted, you were and are never one to do anything half-heartedly, loving games and sports of all kinds, making everything into a game, loving fun and competition. (Remember reckless skateboarding on Greythorn Drive, making fires with Joseph, a trip to hospital after flying down the hill at Woolly Park on your red bike, wading the stream in Breaston with Sam and the cousins, lots of word games and made up poems with me, and endless throwing of stones at any available target on every holiday and family walk with your dad?)

One moment, you could be fighting to win the next point in a game, the next moment, reading something you had written or playing a piano piece with emotion that brought tears to my eyes.

Tom, I could bore even the most inquisitive of readers here by taking a long time to tell how wonderful you are. It has been a joy and privilege to have you in our lives, and to watch you grow from that unique little boy into the young man of God you are today.

I am so proud of you, and of the great choices you have made with your life so far.

One of those great choices has been Philippa. From the little girl with blonde pigtails I first met when she was four, she has blossomed into a truly beautiful woman, and Dad and I thank God for answering our prayers for the right wife for you.

We are confident as we come to the wedding that this really is a match made in heaven, and that there are many plans for you as a couple in the heart of the Father. Tom, strong, sensitive and supportive: Phil, loving and gentle, and strong enough to hold your ground with him!

I know I speak for both your dad and myself when I say we are looking forward to being a part of your future. Let me just say this as a word of motherly advice…as someone once said over us, always go through doors together!

With lots of love, as always,

Mum xx

p.s.

I am happy!..

Dear child, if you become wise,
I’ll be one happy parent.
My heart will dance and sing
to the tuneful truth you’ll speak. - Proverbs 23:15-16 The MSG