Oh to be 6!

Today is a big day in the Shimel house. Our youngest son Bradley turns 6.  Bradley is in kindergarten and loves to play tennis, flag football, soccer, karate and bowl.  His birthday party in fact is at the local bowling alley this Saturday.  I can't believe that our baby is already 6.  It seems it was just yesterday I was holding him in the hospital the day he was born. Bradley came early, probably as a result of the 9/11 trauma that my wife Bonnie suffered.  He was an emergency C-section and after he was born all of the doctors and nurses were busy taking care of Bonnie and left me to sit there holding my new son.  It was love at first sight and I have been bonded with him ever since.  He is growing up into a precocious, bright kid. In some ways he is tougher than his older brother and has a nature/animal loving side that reminds me of my brother Kevin who is a vet.  Most of all, Bradley brings joy to all around him with his love of life and all that he experiences.  This past August on his first day of school, I asked him how it was and he told me, "Dad, it was great.  I felt like I was 6!".  Yesterday I walked in the house and there was Bradley waiting at the door.  I say whats up Bradley and he said, "Dad you are talking to a shoe lace tie-er (not sure how to spell that)". 

If only we can all recapture that excitement that every day accomplishments can bring to a 6 year old.  What a great world it would be.  Happy Birthday Bradley!