Today, our Zachary turns eleven. It’s hard to imagine where the time has gone. Gone in an instant. He now stands almost level with me. We have watched him transform over time. When I first started writing about Zachary in my blog, I thought I’ll do it until the toddler years are over. But as time has gone by, it’s hard to stop. I love looking back on his journey. It’s a road map to his childhood years. And yes, I do miss weeks when our schedule gets tight, but there is nothing more that I love than telling his story.
According to the Korean zodiac, Zachary was born in the year of the White Tiger. That happens every 60 years. Many Koreans believe that babies born during the year of the White Tiger will become wealthy and powerful and will be born with an extraordinary amount of potential. I’m not sure about the lore, but I do see many strong traits.
Fighter:
It’s been a rough month for the boy with baseball. Some political…some on him. But he has battled back. Last weekend, we spent a glorious trip to Ripken. We arrived with little expectation, go have fun and play ball. After losing the first game on Friday. The boy showed up on Saturday against a tough opponent. It was a tight game throughout. In the fourth inning, the boy came up with a man on second and third, two outs. The other team brought in their top pitcher. As I sat watching him taking his practice swings, there really was a calmness. I just knew he would hit it. And he did. Smacked a ball right up the middle, scoring both runners. We won the game and he was named Player of the Game. On Sunday, he continued his hitting again smacking a ball over the outfielders. And again, being named Player of the Game. As you know, don’t provoke a White Tiger.
Did you know that you can hear a Tiger’s roar from over two miles away. Well the boy may have surpassed that last weekend in the hotel after their win. They rocked that swimming pool and generally ran around like crazy kids for hours. He had a blast and was right there in the middle. We arrived home, with little sleep, but stories that will be told for centuries.
Tigers are keystone species. And while Tigers are not family bonded, this White Tiger is very close to his friends and family. Everyone was rooting for Zachary. He truly is loved.
So as the boy embarks on his eleventh year. I hope it is blessed with more good days than bad. Lots of love and laughter. Friends and family. The strength to endure the hard times. And courage in the face of adversity. The White Tiger lives on. Happy Birthday, my dear baby boy.
