Wednesday, April 24, 2013

This is 11



It strikes me so funny that you've turned 11, my dear youngest child, because 11:11 has always been your magic time.

When this grip of 11:11 got a hold on you, I can't remember. But it seems like for always you'd look up at the digital clock, wait for it to flip to 11:11, and then BAM, you'd say "11:11! Mama, time to do something magic!" And somehow, you always would -- just by looking at me with that smile, you would make my heart melt. Magic.

I remember a morning in summer, driving home from the pool, nothing on but our wet swimsuits and you saw the blue numbers on the car's dashboard blink to 11:11. "Mama! It's 11:11! Do something different!"

And so I would. I'd honk the horn, I'd steer with my knees while I clapped, I'd do anything for you to work your magic on me. I'd put my hat on backwards and pretend to drool and you'd laugh that laugh that would make my eyes sting with happy tears. Yes. 11:11. Magic.

You're 11 now.

That magic number 11.

11 is you still holding my hand.
11 is still able to fit together in a movie theatre seat with you.
11 is you, who still calls me mama. 

And 11 is the time of magic unseen, but I can feel.

Just like you telling me, "Mama! It's 11:11! Do something different!"

And so you do.

11 is you asking me to pack away the bedspread of dragons that you picked out for your room not so many years ago.
11 is you choosing to go with your oldest brother on rides now, instead of automatically reaching for my hand.
11 is me surprising you with a visit at school lunch time, and you thanking me for coming, then asking if it's all right if you go play with your friends, though.

Of course it's all right that you play with your friends. And that we picked out a solid orange new bedspread for your room. It's also actually good that you want to do things with your big brother now, really. He leaves for school in only a year's time.

You're 11 now. That magic number of 11. And you work that magic every time you sneak downstairs after you've gone to bed, and see me sitting here in the computer's white light. You stand behind me, your arms encircling my neck as you bend over to kiss me, and I feel your hot breath against my ear. I close my eyes and hear you whisper, "Mama, it's 11:11! Do something magic!"

Oh, I wish I could, son, but you've already beat me to it.


**I love you, Auggie. Happy Birthday, my beautiful boy.

* * *

46 comments:

  1. Oh, what a lovely post. You made me all teary. Happy birthday, magic boy!

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    Replies
    1. THank you, Mrs. Catch. The years are flying by with this last little guy...xo

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  2. smiles...happy birthday to your not so little one...ha...orange is a good bright color too...so i approve...lol...

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    1. Thank you, Mr. Miller. This is Auggie. I am happy you're here and I want to see your boys and their birthdays too! From, Auggie

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  3. Oh, there's a catch in my heart now, my eleven has turned twelve. *sigh* What a lovely post...

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  4. Gorgeous post and gorgeous boy, too!
    My daughter always says "1234, make a wish" when the clock says 12:34.
    I really would like to ride in the car with you when the clock strikes 11:11. It sounds quite entertaining.
    Happy Birthday to your magical boy!

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    Replies
    1. 11:11! THe day he stops shouting 11:11 , you'll hear my heart break a little. xo

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    2. Ah, Alexandra! I hope he never stops. I hope he shouts it when he comes home for Thanksgiving and Christmas when he's a man. Forever. It's so cool.

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  5. Is it just me or do your boys just get more and more handsome with each passing year?

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    Replies
    1. Suzy, you love my children so much. Thank you for that. xo

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  6. My how beautiful this is. You make me see him, know him, feel how much he is loved. Happy birthday, 11!

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  7. Holy cats! He's 11?! This is not allowed!!! You made my heart pang for all these birthdays in the future. Gosh. I can't believe he's 11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Not So Baby Anymore E. I hope it's full of magic, just like your mom.

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  8. Happy Magic Eleventh Birthday!

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  9. Oh, well done, madam. Tears across the nation. I'm at work, you know! Jeez. :P

    Sniffles and smiles - your love is palpable. I forward so much of what you write here to my mother - you've been the instigator of some great talks.

    For both these things, thank you thank you thank you.

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    Replies
    1. You are just wonderful. WONDERFUL. Thank you. For so much. xo

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  10. Little boys are magic. They follow you around like a shadow. And then they turn 8, 9, 10 -- 11. They are still very wonderful but less your shadow. Less your little buddy. Wonderful post and great photo. Happy birthday Auggie.

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  11. Happy birthday, Auggie!! WE LOVE YOU!! 11:11

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  12. Replies
    1. Ah, thank you for the high praise, my esteemed one. xo

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  13. This is just not possible for your baby to be 11. I will not accept it.

    Ok, I will. But only because this post was gorgeous.

    Happy birthday, Auggie!

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  14. Oh, happy birthday to your boy. I'm so glad his life is still so full of magic and he isn't "too old" for that!

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  15. Thank you all of you.

    Yes, Baby E is 11.

    I know. I know...


    My heart.

    xo

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  16. Silly mama, *he* is your 11:11 magic act.

    xo

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  17. Aw. Love this post. My son is also 11. He starts middle school this fall. I'm scared.

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  18. The last line...ahhhhhhh pass the tissue. This melted my heart into a pile of goop.
    You're raising a beautiful loving and caring boy my friend.
    And I'm pretty sure that you're an awesome Momma :)
    Happy Birthday

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  19. Aw, Alexandra. How truly stunning your love letter is.
    Happy Birthday, Auggie.

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    Replies
    1. A, I can't even tell you. How did it happen???

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  20. Oh, my heart...I just love this, Alexandra. So sweet and so bittersweet. How lucky we are too to have gotten to know the witty and energetic Auggie directly through his posts, back when he was my little guy's age! (and my son is the same way - he's got his magic number too and will light up whenever he sees it on the clock, etc.) Please wish him a wonderful birthday for me. He is such an angel. There is no original way to say this, but I can't believe he's growing up so fast!

    Love and hugs
    xoxo

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  21. This made me cry a little. Beautiful. It made me smile to think that someday, she might repeat the 11:11 ritual with her own child.

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  22. SOOOO lovely. Happy Birthday, Baby E who's no longer a baby!

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  23. So beautiful. Happy belated birthday! I will definitely try and remember to do something magic on 11:11!

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  24. So sweet. What a lucky boy and a lucky mama, too. As a letter-nerd, I fell in love with eleven as soon as I learned to spell it, all those e's...

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  25. Happy birthday to your son!

    It sent me into a reverie, trying to remember what my boys were like at 11. As for the 11:11, my son told me that whenever you see it on the clock, you wish for peace. I always do.

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  26. Just lovely. Happy birthday magical 11 year old Auggie!

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you, Linda. He has grown so fast, my curly headed little wonder.

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  27. OMG!..that was beautiful!
    thank you so much for sharing!
    in another universe, i hope to be the mother you've become!

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  28. He's 11, y'all. And he can still fit in my lap (ha!) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HIS BIRTHDAY WISHES. He loves knowing so many are wishing him an awesome year. You're the best.. I'm so lucky. xo

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  29. 11? oh My Goodness. How does time fly so fast? I'm late to the party but Happy Birthday E. Not a baby anymore : )

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  30. happy Birthday Auggie! You are cool. :-)

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  31. That was a gorgeous post! You've melted my heart, you and your wonderful son, just as I suspect you've made every mama reading this get choked up.

    To quote your haiku, "I'll take the kids." How great that he sneaks downstairs for extra time with Mama.

    Happy (belated) Birthday, Auggie!

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