“Come in,” I say as a knock comes from my bedroom door.
The door opens and Dad walks in. He’s holding the letter and smiling. Mo-mo walks in after him with my favorite breakfast on a tray. I can’t help smiling when I see her.
There’s this light that shines around her. As if her love glows in a soft-pink color that surrounds her. The soft hue grows to a darker pink when she’s trying to protect me and my family.
That’s when the dark crown appears. The dark crowns are always around the heads of the people I feel most comfortable with. Mo-mo, Dad, Uncle Uri, Uncle Misha, Uncle Logan, Auntie Val, and the list goes on.
However, I have come to think of the darker pink as Mom’s passion for us. She may not be my birth mother, but she loves me. She has loved me from the start.
“Happy birthday,” she sings as she places the tray across my lap.
“Thank you. This is my favorite. Thank you, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dad sits down on the side of my bed. I eye the letter in his hand, nervous about what it will say. I have to fight the impulse to grab the letter and tear it open.
That would be rude. I have manners. I’m not a rude person.
“Happy birthday, buddy. You have a full day ahead of you. Are you excited?”
“Yes, I am. I would like to talk to everyone about my gifts. I believe I have answers for everyone today.”
Dad chuckles. “Sounds a bit last minute but I’m sure we’ll all do everything we can to make it happen.”
“It will be just as it should be. Is that for me?” I ask, pointing to the letter, not able to wait any longer.
“Yes, your mother left this for you just as you said,” he says and hands it over.
“Would you like me to read it to you?” Mo-mo asks.
“No, it’s time I start to do things for myself. This is important for me to grasp.”
“Okay, I’ll give you some space.”
“No, no. You both should stay. After I read this, I will have things to say. Things you both should hear.”
“Oh, okay,” Mo-mo says and moves to take a seat at my desk as she faces us.
I take the letter and tear it open. There is a faint hint of my mother’s scent as I pull the letter from the envelope. A smile comes to my lips.
I miss her. I guess that’s why she’s been in my dreams and visions so much lately. It’s like she’s trying to guide me to something.
Sammy,my sweet boy,
Happy birthday. I hope this day brings you great joy. I know things have been a little confusing for you lately. Unlike everyone else, for you, time doesn’t exist. However, at the same time, it’s most important to you.
In the last few weeks, you have constantly been standing in the past, present, and future all at once. It’s been way more than the seconds and minutes you used to glimpse in your visions.
Don’t be afraid. I know it’s been overwhelming. Your sisters won’t come fully into their gifts as early as you have. They have only been showing signs of them because of you.
The gift in the boys always awakens earlier and is greater in their abilities. It is the reason they can’t handle it. However, you will not lose your mind like the men in our bloodline before you.
You are special, Sammy. Your gift will prepare a table before you. You question a lot of what you have seen yourself do in the future and the roles of others around you.
You wish to change a lot. While I do believe if no one else, you will be one to change the outcome of much, you will not be able to change it all. This you will have to accept.
I know you have been feeling lonely, as so many of your friends are either so much younger than you or so much older.It won’t always be this way. You are not the burden you think you are to the adults.
