Between Bruises and Blooms

My sweet Theo,

From the moment you came into this world,
you carried sunshine with you.

You have always had a way
of making people laugh,
of turning ordinary days
into adventures,
and of reminding me
that joy can still exist
even after heartbreak.

You arrived
when my heart was still learning
how to beat around grief.

You didn’t replace
the sister we lost.

No one ever could.

But you reminded me
that hope is brave enough
to bloom again.

You have always loved
with your whole heart.

The way you protect your sisters,
the way you look up to your brother,
the way you throw your whole self
into every hug—
those are the parts of you
I hope the world never changes.

I know life
hasn’t always been simple.

You’ve had to learn things
children should never have to understand.

You’ve seen adults struggle.

You’ve watched people come and go.

You’ve lived through changes
that were never your choice.

But through it all,
you’ve never stopped
being wonderfully you.

Please don’t lose that.

Keep asking questions.

Keep laughing too loud.

Keep believing
that kindness is strength,
not weakness.

There will be days
when you doubt yourself.

Days when life feels unfair.

When those days come,
I hope you remember this:

You have always been enough.

Not because of what you achieve.

Not because of what anyone else says.

Simply because you are you.

Being your mom
has been one of the greatest gifts
of my life.

Thank you
for every cuddle,
every belly laugh,
every “I love you,”
and every reminder
that healing sometimes arrives
wearing muddy boots
and an impossibly mischievous smile.

No matter how tall you grow,
how old you become,
or where life takes you,

you will always have a place
where you are loved
without conditions.

That place
will always be my heart.

I love you more
than words could ever carry.

Always,

Mom