Sniffelaffagus

Dear Sammy,

This has been the month of the Itch for you. We’ve had an onslaught of pollen around here this spring, and it hasn’t been kind to you. It seems like you go outside for 5 minutes, and come back in looking like you’ve just lost a prize fight. Badly. Sometimes, you’re just red and can’t stop scratching your eyes (with your fingers, with a towel, across the couch cushions, possibly with a brillo pad if you could find one), but other times, you’ve got the beginnings of Elephant Man level swelling and you don’t even look like yourself. It breaks my heart. Your doctor told me what to do last year when this first happened (and scared the bejeezus out of your grandma and me), so I’ve been following her instructions. It just takes time. Several times your dad took you outside, thinking you were A-OK, but nope. Crazy bloat face. Until this week, when you’ve finally started to turn the corner. I consider it a huge achievement that you went to the park yesterday and came home in precisely the same shape as you left. Plus, you’ve told me you’re feeling much better, so I’ll take that as definite progress. You can see the sun shine again.

You’ve been quite the trouper through all of this and more. I’m so proud of your ability to roll with the punches. I know you’re not a fan of change (you are so my kid), so you’ve amazed me by your willingness to go along with just about anything that’s come your way. You aren’t even bothered by the eye drops anymore. I’ll tell you a secret: I don’t like eye drops either. But thank you for being cool while I squirt liquid into your seeholes.

We’ve have lots of visitors, and you’ve loved seeing all your relatives. You’re naturally hospitable. You hug everyone upon arrival and departure. Sometimes twice. My heart grows a little bit every time I see someone’s eyes light up during one of your squeezes. And I can’t help but giggle when you chase around another kid who clearly isn’t as into physical contact as you are.

School is a blast for you every day, and I’m sorry that the year is ending soon. I’ll do my best to help you keep the friends you’ve made, even though you’ll be in different school next year. Next year. Kindergarten. I’m not ready to fully grasp that concept yet. I can’t quite believe we’re almost there.

So I’ll just concentrate on making the upcoming summer lots of fun. We’ll kick it off with another epic family road trip, OK? I know one of us is ready.

Love,

Mom