Dear Sam,

Just after my last post on you, we had decided that you were doing awesome, and your sessions with Dr. Williams were not needed for now.  We talked to Dr. Williams and he agreed.  He was so proud of you, saying, "We are going to graduate you?.. Awesome!!"  It has been about a month since we have stopped our visits, and you are still going to school really well.  I have not seen any more big bouts of anxiety, which makes me really happy.  I know Dr. Willliams will always have a special place in both of our hearts and he said that he will be there if ever you need to talk to him again.

You are the only child in the family that got a friend birthday party this year and so your Dad drove you and six of your closest friends to Classic Skating one afternoon.  Your Dad came back exhausted, and your head hurt from falling at the rink being that it was your first time, but I think overall you boys had a great time.

Also this last month you had to say goodbye to Mr. Crippen, your school teacher.  He got hired at BYU and was needed right away.  You formed a special bond with him and I know how much you looked up to him in everything.  I was not surprised at your tears when you relayed to me the news, or your sadness.  I am glad they threw a party in his honor just before he left, and gave us another chance to be with him.  School and life has gone on and you have adjusted well to your new teacher, Mrs. Gregson, although it is just not the same.

I have written before about your tender heart, and how kind you are.  You truly do have a big measure of our Savior's influence inside you, because you can't stand to see anybody being left out or being picked on.  I find it funny that although this is true, you are also the usual culprit to pick on your siblings.:)  You are a tease sometimes like your Dad, I guess. 

You have to read so many books off the school reading list and a few weeks ago I found some on your list at the library and brought them home.  I hadn't read any of them before, so I wasn't too surprised when one of them named "Crow Boy" made you sad.  It was a very old book about a Japanese boy that was more or less shunned and looked down upon by his Japanese classmates.  At the end of the story, the kids are sad to learn about his history and finally befriend him.  You were reading the book to me, but I heard you were getting choked up and I had to take over.  I reassured you that he ended up having friends in the end, but when I tucked you in bed just a few minutes later, the tears were falling freely from your eyes and you readily admitted that the story was the reason. 

I love this about you Sam.  This is the third time in the last year that you have cried over a movie or a book around the same storyline.  I am certain that you are kind in school and I know you are to your friends, because I hear you.  I know that you will be an excellent husband and father because of your big heart.  I am so proud to be your mom, and to get big hugs and lots of love notes quite often.  Even though you like to tease your siblings like I have mentioned earlier, you are always very respectful to me and your father, and I honestly do not know what I did to deserve such a great kid.  All I know is that I am grateful.  You help me want to be a better person.  I love you lots.

Love,
Mom