Good morning, Dear Siestas! We are still under reconstruction but it is taking longer than we hoped so we’re reopening comments until we get the heads-up that the switch really is about to take place. Thank you for your patience! I especially want those of you who have just now gotten your books and read your first three segments to be able to comment. Look back at last Thursday’s post and jump in there with us. Also expect your second week’s assignment tomorrow.
I wonder if I may beg your indulgence to be shamefully focused on one little person today. After all, I entered one of the happiest seasons of my life four years ago today. I’ve got a letter stirring in my heart that the recipient is way too young to read and probably won’t even see when he’s grown. We’ll have bigger fish to fry then. And if his Paw Paw has anything to do with it, those bigger fish really will have scales, slime, and fins. Still, a letter, because I can get some big feelings off my chest all the same. So, with your patience…
Dear Jackson Curtis Jones,
Today is your four year-old birthday! Yahoo! This is one of my favorite of all days! I have a few things I want to say to you, young man. Things you should be glad that I’m saying in print instead of in person since I’d probably bawl my head off and you’d find that pretty confusing. It will be a long time until you understand happy cries and, as the man you’ll surely one day be, you’ll probably never like them. All the same, you’ll have to put up with them to have women in your life. And, boy, do you have some women in your life. Mommy, Annabeth, Nana, Aunt Melissa, Aunt Lindsay, and me for family starters. Goodness knows, there’ll be more. Your mommy told me not long ago that she thought ahead about you getting your heart broken by a girl one day and got mad at her without even having a clue who she was or what she looked like. Woe be unto her. That’s all I can say. All six of us will be on her like mad, scratching cats.
But, back to today. Thank you, Jackson, for bringing a baby back into the life of someone drunk on babies. Thank you for reciprocating the happy love I felt for you by reaching your plump little hands out toward me by the time you were four months old. Thank you for a wild enthusiasm for life that has awakened every soul in your company. For things like pumping your fist in the air after we said “Amen” to grace over burgers. Jesus loves that. I’d also like to thank you for naming me Bibby. I just love it. Who would ever have thought of such a name but you? Thank you for saying it so many times. Thank you for being the reason why I found an old purse in the closet the other day that had a pull-up in it. (A clean one, thank goodness.) It sure has been a while since you needed a pull-up, hasn’t it? Mommy is so happy about that.
Thank you for bringing me a world of Hot Wheels and for teaching me how to race and how to make sounds like motors. Thank you for the love you’ve engendered in my heart for your lizard named Bernie. Thank you for bringing “Fruit by the Foot” back into my cupboard. For innumerable rounds of hide and seek and for the memory of the first time you really did count to ten before you said, “Ready or not! Here I come!” Thank you for giggling so loud wherever you hid that I always knew where not to look so we could make the game go a good, long time. Thank you for loving to be at Pappaw Keith’s and Bibby’s house here in Houston and at Nana and Pappaw Steve’s house in Missouri. You are a boy who has loved his grandparents and we are all four so much the better for it.
Thank you for the carseat in the back of my SUV and for crawling into it so often. Thank you for loving music and telling me to “turn it up, Bibby!” and for specially requesting David Crowder. Thank you for all the theological insights I’ve gained from your interpretations of the Bible stories your dad tells you. Thank you for wanting to grow up to be just like him and for actually putting it to words. He is a giant in your eyes…and in ours. Thank you for being firstborn to my firstborn. For making expressions that look just like her when she was your age. Thank you for thinking she’s so beautiful. I do, too. Thank you for helping her discover that she was really wonderful at something she’d never aspired to as a girl growing up. She actually planned to take care of animals. Not children. I will always find great amusement in the fact that yours was the first diaper she ever changed. To say you have changed her life in return is the biggest understatement we could make today.
Thank you for being the best big brother ever and to what is sure to become the next in a line of consummate drama queens. She adores you. She’s tougher than she would have been without you. And that’s a good thing.
Thank you, Jackson, for four of the most exciting, love-flooded years of my life. You, like your Mommy, your Aunt Melissa, your Sister and your Pappaw, have shoved your way into my every conscious thought.
We have waited all our lives for you, little Man-child. You were worth every second of it.
Happy Birthday, Jackson Jones. I’m playing hooky from work to play with you today. Let’s go buy a swing set!
I love you,
Bibby
Anonymous 
Dear Beth,
I too have a grandson, after having only one child – a daughter. I have three grandchildren, but the oldest, a boy who will be five in May. He has introduced me to a lot of fun boy things and he is absolutely the best big brother ever. My daughter has requested that I write them birthday letters on each of their birthdays, and it is a joy.
One day that precious little man will adore this letter. It will be exceedingly precious to him as he grows older…and as you do. Beautiful words, Beth.
Leah
I'm so thankful that no one at this particular moment is sitting across my desk from me at work. I find it weird that I don't know the child except from y'all, but this post made tears run down my face. I'm so pitiful. Just like my mother!
Happy Birthday, Jackson! You are clearly so very loved. Hope y'alls day is a BLAST!
So sweet! Thanks for sharing, Beth, and kindly letting Siestaville into your family's circle.
I love me the image of six women clawing some poor lass who would dare to mess with Jackson.
Bring it on.
(smile)
Warm in Alaska.
I cried with that one..sweet, sweet, sweet..what momma can't relate to the joy (however bittersweet) of finding the pullup in the purse! xoxo
Oh you make me cry. Are you listening my children, I want grands soon. Daughter got engaged on vday so it is coming. Bless your heart Beth you are amazing.Enjoy your day with your grandson.
Beth, I have always loved studying the Bible "with" you, but I think my favorite thing about you right now is the way you love your family with abandon! Watching you with your girls at the SMT conference, and the way you lavish your family with your love—I'm inspired! As a mommy of 4, I want to be just like you! I want my kids to be secure in their relationship with God, and in my absolute love for them too!
Thanks for living your life the way you do!
Dear Beth,
When I grow up I want to be YOU!
Susy
–fledging mother of a 1 year old angel-faced girl
Happy Birthday Jackson! May the LORD bless you with an absolute flooding of HIS Spirit and and undeniable spark for HIS WORD! I love reading updates about the family – and I love to see how you've grown…when I first came to this blog, I believe Jackson was about 2. Happy frosting day!
Time Flies.
Blessings in Him,
Siesta OC
Happy Birthday Mr Jackson!! I can't believe you are already 4yrs old! I remember when there was the big announcement that you were on the way…such a happy day!
Mama Beth, that was a beautiful birthday letter…you are such a wonderful grandmother! And of course, the BEST Bibby on the planet!
Have a great day celebrating your lil man!
Nikki
I'm being selfish…but I hope we will get to see some birthday pics (you've spoiled us)
Happy Birthday Jackson! You are blessed beyond measure!
Bibby, you really have a way with words. What a letter. Precious.
Mercy.. I should have know better than to sit here reading this at work…tears flowing! Beautiful letter Beth and as a Mimi to 5 soon to be 6.. I GET it!! Happy Birthday to Jackson.. y'all have an amazing day!!
lots of love,
Martha in MS
on a sad note.. my book still hasnt arrived 🙁
From a Grammy that is drunk on babies too and now has four little guys, every word you wrote was my heart. Only Beth Moore can say it so beautifully.
You are the best! I love you dearly and am trying so hard to get SECURE.
Teresa
Oh sweet Bibby,
This mommy of a little boy five years the senior on Jackson is sitting at her desk at work doing the ugly cry! Thank you for loving on that little boy….for celebrating all the little boy things he does….and those moments when he makes a puddle of your heart! Thank you Lord Jesus for Jackson Curtis Jones and all the joy and insight he has brought to this world! Happy Birthday sweet boy!
Amen (with fist in the air!)
Love you ALL so much!
Andrea 🙂
What beautiful words…and so true. I, too have two daughters and was blessed with a grandson nearly two years ago and boy has he changed his gramma and pop pop lives. We now have a granddaugher to round things out…Grandmadom is amazingly wonderful!
How precious! Know by the smile on his face he is crazy for his Bibby!
Happy Birthday Jackson!
Enjoy Your Day
Jan
Have a very "Happy Birthday" Jackson!! May God bless you with many more.
This has my crying like crazy, and when it did it hit? Let's go buy a swing set.
Oh yes, INDEED.
Happy 4th Birthday Jackson!!
O Beth, thank you for sharing with us your life in writing…by example to the world that is not close enough to see you we are learning what it means to be sober, to love our husbands, to love our children (and our children's children)…the list does go on in Titus…in a world that looks much like Paul describes in 2 Timothy 3; you are a beacon of life for us!
Your example causes us to prayerfully examine our hearts and repentantly restore our focus so God's light shines vibrantly through our lives and in turn light the way for others.
Heaven where we will fellowship around the table set for us with the Lord Jesus, I look forward to sharing all you have meant to me in your studies and books…God's grace and favor is upon you my friend, as Esther you are going before the King for the sake of his people (for us) and I thank you for that…I hope as did Elisha to have a portion of that which God has given you as I grow in my faith and use of the Word of God.
Deborah from CT
That was a tough one to get through. I'm crying because you sound so similar to my mom as a grandmother. My mother was a wonderful "Mimi" to my kids – she played with them and delighted in them and gave them wonderful childhood memories. She passed away in 2005 and my husbands mother died in 2000. So my children (18, 16, and 13) haven't had a grandma for 5 years now. I hate that for them – and me too!
Enjoy every little moment with those precious children! Life is too short!
Cyndi
Happy Birthday, Jackson! Have an awesome day with everyone you love! Sweet, sweet letter!
Tears flowing down my face! Thank you for once again sharing your heart. As a mom of two little ones, you have articulated my heart's song today, as the love for my kids overflows. It's the little things that make them special in big ways.
Happy Birthday Jackson!
This is so good! I love how expressive you are with your love and emotions. You are a GREAT Bibby!!! You teach me so much about loving and appreciating those around you with abandon, and never missing an opportunity to express it. Thank you for sharing this!
Happy Birthday, Jackson! (with fists pumped high!)
Beth – He is such a lucky boy to have such great love!
What a lovely letter. It echoed the emotions I have for my own grandson, but cannot articulate so beautifully. Birthday letters–what a treasure.
What a great Bibby you are! Jackson and Annabeth are so blessed to have you. Happy Birthday Jackson!
My keyboard is soaked–my eye makeup GONE!! Beth, what a beautiful heart you have for your family. That's one of the big reasons we love you so much.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jackson! Have a special 'Jackson Jones' sorta day!
Happy Birthday little blessed Man!!!! Your are so loved and your Bibby did a great job articulating it…
Bibby I tell my little man, who by the way is 24 now… I love you the Mostest and the Mostest and his reply to me now as it has been since he was little bitty is … and don't me forget it! On days like today… your little man child has more love than he can fathom… praise Jesus for giving him to you and Amanda… love you to you all today!
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Lichelle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON! I love you and have only shared in your life via internet.Bibby,I weep when I read your letters to your "grands"!How precious-thanks for sharing life with us!love you!
I've been blessed that all four of my kids have a close relationship with both sets of grandparents. I can't tell you what's it's meant to my husband and me, and what I know it will one day mean to my precious children. Sounds like Jackson is just as blessed! Happy Birthday Jackson!
What a precious letter! Happy Birthday Jackson!
Blessings on you and your whole family!
Much love!
Love, Love, Love the Letter!! That is such a sweet and good idea! Hope Jackson loves his new swingset…I'm sure he will 🙂
Meredith
Beth,
I think Jackson knew why he named you Bibby. He took a look at your hair and thought, "Big and Blond" BB. Just saying!
You have struck a chord in every grandma in Siestaville today.
My "Jackson's name is Nathan and he stole my heart 5 years ago and I will never get it back.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKSON!
Nitsa
Camas, WA
Happy Birthday Jackson!
What a precious letter. We too have a birthday letter tradition, but not for everytime. (Mine aren't quite the masterpiece, hehe, but filled with the same intense love.)
Have a fun-filled day!
As usual….Wow! No one says it better than you Beth. My tears are surely "happy" and maybe a little sad at the same time. I love my kids this much. Thank you for sharing Jackson's fourth birthday and first birthday letter. It's a day maker!
Jackie Tabor
LC, LA
Happy Birthday to Jackson! I loved the letter. 🙂
"…in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened."
~Genesis 7:11
😉
Amanda Jones, I don't even have to tell you how wonderful it is to have a mom that would write a letter like that. My own mother is too broken and I've realized after a lot of years that I can't fix her. BUT I can be the woman who will write these kinds of notes to my own grandkids, Lord tarrying and willing. I used to feel sorry for myself for going through what I have to be the family deal breaker. Now I just consider myself a maverick and much of that is because of the godly, healthy relationships I've had the blessing of seeing played out through this very screen.
So, though a rambly way of saying it, thanks.
🙂
God is so good to give us people to love and people who love us back. I love that about Him. He's all about love…
Everyone needs a bibby like you!!!
I am totally smitten and besotted with my four year old little Mister who calls me "Lalu." From the moment we laid eyes on each other, it's been love at first sight. We instantly recognized each other. And now he has a three week old sister, our little Bug, who looked at me when she was minutes old, opened her eyes wide, and gasped! I do love me some littles. And to watch my first child become the mama to these ones is beyond words. I stand with you in the gap for our coming generations who are with us already. It is a joy beyond compare, Beth, to have survived my childhood and been able to experience and give so much love. God is all mystery and grace.
Well, there's nothin like a good cry on a birthday now is there!
Happy 4th Man!
I can't even see what I'm typing right now because of all of the tears in my eyes so please overlook any misspellings! As a mom of two sweet boys, I can relate to everything you said.
Happy Birthday, Jackson! May God richly bless your life and may you always live for Him.
Happy Birthday Jackson!!
Have a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday Jackson!!!!!
What a great letter Bibby!!! He will treasure it always…..never show it to anyone maybe…..because it is gushy!!
But then again, there are some very sensitive men out there that would be proud to show this off….
Blessings,
Bible Bunny in NO MI
Wow! So awesome to see (and feel) the love and pride you have for sweet Jackson!
I hope that you treasure this day with Jackson, and someday he'll treasure this letter dearly!
Happy Birthday Jackson! Great Job Bibby!
Happy Birthday Jackson! And Bibby, please pass the kleenex…am thinking back to when my now all grown up 25 year old "baby boy" was only 4. Amanda – what a precious time of life this is for a mom and son. Time flies faster than you know…Swing high!!!
Thank you JESUS! Enjoy your day with your precious boy, sweet Beth! What a wonderful blessing!!Happy Birthday Jackson!! You are loved! 🙂
crying!!!! Thank you for sharing. You have motivated me to get writing! Happy Birthday Jackson!
AWWW..Happy Birthday Jackson!