Knoxster

Today is my oldest son’s birthday. Wow. Where does the time go? I think he is going to have an awesome day. I have to admit, another one of those things I would love to take credit for but have no bearings on, that he is one of the neatest people I know. Smart. Very first born. Very type A. Very rational. Very responsible.  A compartmentalizer. Extremely focused. Unconditional loving heart - for everyone. Bound to accomplish what he sets his mind to. His daddy is a lot like that. But, he also has a level of compassion and realism that is sometimes perplexing to see in such a little body.

I have heard people say that having a sister like Ivey will make him more compassionate. That is possibly true I suppose. Just watching him with her would suggest that, but honestly I think he would treat her ‘special’ no matter – he just loves his ‘baby’ sister as he does his 'baby' brother. Compassionate, yes, but again, I don't think she gets the credit, that is just who he is.

A couple of weeks ago the boys went with me to take Ivey to ballet class. They were so excited. And as we sat in the waiting room I got to see, once again, a level of understanding from him that most adults struggle with. One mom there has four children with special needs, two of the girls were dancing, and two sons were waiting on their sisters too. One of the boys was in a wheelchair, a teenager, distorted speech, awkward body positioning – I spoke to the mom and introduced myself and the boys to her son. Knox never missed a beat – he didn’t appear hear or see the ‘differences’. My heart wanted to explode. Not for any other reason except he treated her son the way I want Ivey treated – I didn’t have to pull him to the side, explain, or persuade him – he is unique in that way. He sees people, not their problems.

Again, his life circumstances have warranted him an opportunity, but this is who he is, with or without Ivey.  Life has only given him the opportunity to show the 'real' Knox more often than most. 

Personally, I can’t wait to see what is in store for his life. Just as much as I believe Ivey was sent to this Earth to move mountains, so were her two brothers. This particular brother will move just as many, if not more.

At this moment if you were to ask him what he wants to be when he grows up he can already tell you, an engineer. But the kicker is to ask him why. And this he decided all on his own, again as parents we can take no credit, even Matt and I were both left speechless the first time he told us – seriously- this kid is amazing…..

Why? So he can make things that will help people like his sister.

"You're off to great places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting!  So get on your way!"  Dr. Seuss