Matthew's Birthday

Matthew turned 10 yesterday. As I said to my special "little" boy, "I'm so glad to have Benjamin - otherwise I wouldn't have any little kids left in my home!!!" Matthew has now officially joined the "Tweens" - they are the age group of children just before the teenage years. Generally, they are between 10-14 years. Here's what I found on one website when I googled "Tweens":

Welcome to the Tweens: a generation of fashion-conscious, fad-loving, filled-with-attitude youth. You thought angst was a teenage phenomenon. Your 12-year-old is so moody, he begs for attention one minute, and then pretends you don't exist the next. You want to keep your 10-year-old in pigtails, but she tells you belly shirts are the bomb.

At least, with Matthew, I won't have to worry about the pigtails or the belly shirts. Nor will I need to worry about him being fashion-conscious or fad-loving. My beautiful boy is his own person and has his pleasures, which are relatively simple, and his own opinions, which he stubbornly clings to until logic - pure logic - proves otherwise!!! All he really wants to do at the moment is play AFL and cricket. This is great since both these sports are seasonal and there can be no "clashing of the titans". While this may seem faddish because it is "at the moment", this "moment" will last for a long time - once he commits himself, he usually sees it through to the end and doesn't worry about whether anyone else is doing it or not. However, it's hard to play either cricket or footy without a team, so I guess he is kind of dependent on others liking what he likes. :o)

Matthew is a lovely boy. He is quiet, shy and thinks deeply about the world around him. He holds his opinions to himself until something provokes that opinion to be voiced. When Matthew does give his view, it is usually well thought out and the wisdom in some of his words never ceases to amaze me. He loves the deeper preaching at church. Especially when his poppa is behind the pulpit!!

He's a great help around the house. He just focuses his mind on the task at hand and gets it done quickly. Apart from the task he's been set to do, he sees the other things that need to be done in association, and he does them. For example, one of his jobs in the mornings before school is to wash and dry the breakfast dishes. He also puts them away without being asked and without complaining. I have to say, he is very, very cute about it. I have to really bite my tongue when I see a tall tower of dishes shakily making their way from one bench to the other. They usually make it to the other side without mishap ... but I'm waiting for the "big bang"!!! Once they are safe, I allow myself to chuckle. Until then, I'm holding my breath.

He is a very kind and patient boy. He loves his little brother and they generally play very well together. He often defers to Benjy's preferred game or mode of play. I have watched Matthew with other younger children and he's just so patient with them. I'm really proud of my boy.

We gave him a few gifts for his birthday, not knowing what he would really like, because he never asks for anything. If there was anything we gave him that he didn't like, he didn't let us know. He let us believe that everything he was given was exciting to him and special. His grandmother is taking him out for lunch today and a spot of shopping so that she can get him whatever he wants. He has no idea what he wants, but when I suggested maybe new track pants, he countered me with "I could ask Grandma for socks." Poor child - you would think he didn't have any socks - he has a whole drawer full of the things but he is unselfish and he just thinks he doesn't really need anything. I hope he doesn't get disillusioned, LOL!!!

I know God has big plans for this special boy of mine. I keep telling him that he is wonderfully and fearfully made and that God's creation is good. He's one of those diamonds that you have to dig for but, once discovered, you don't want to let out of your sight.

Signed,
His Proud Mum