I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. I hope your heart leads over your head in times of strife. I hope you feel the music and not just hear it. I hope you don’t always take the easy road but do veer off of it when you feel you need to. I hope you appreciate the luxury of boredom. I hope you don’t take yourself too seriously. I hope you know forever and always that you are loved beyond measure. I hope you grow your brain even when your body has stopped growing. I hope you find beauty in words. I hope you create something each and every day. I hope you continue to shine and use your smile to make others happy. I hope you use your voice. I hope you continue to keenly feel for others. I hope you remember the tradition and love that cements our family together. I hope you always turn to us in times of trouble and times of joy. I hope that you never think inside the box. Heck, I hope you never step into the damn box. I hope you always believe in miracles and magic. I hope you laugh easily and don’t carry unnecessary burdens. I hope you can appreciate the absurd, the goofy, the silly. I hope you love all creatures great and small…but not snakes because they’re still gross and scary. I hope you’re never too old for chocolate milk and cookies. I hope you don’t forget the feeling of having your head nestled into my shoulder while I read aloud to you. I hope you love and laugh and learn fiercely. I hope you know how much I love you even though I don’t have adequate enough words to tell you. I hope you walk on sunshine instead of egg shells. I hope you make good choices – don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, don’t be stupid. Be a leader not a lemming. I hope you always read the funny pages first on Sunday mornings. I hope Shel Silverstein’s namesake poem always makes you feel special. I hope you look out for your brother. I hope you have faith in yourself above all else.