Dear middle child, the world needs you

Today I just wanted to tell you something: I see you.

I see you trying hard, so hard.

I see you being a great little brother and a great big brother. It can’t be easy. But I see you.

I see you watching your big brother become more and more independent and feeling a little left out or left behind. Maybe you’re even feeling a little bit sad. Your turn is coming though, sooner than you think.

I see you watching out for your little brother. I see you watching him, checking on him, maybe even worrying for him. While you’re not your brother’s keeper, I know you are his fierce protector. I see that. I see you.

I see you trying to be the best son you can be as a teenager. I see you watching your dad and me. You are so observant, never missing a beat. If one of us is sick or hurt, you never hesitate to offer help. I see your compassion, your kindness, and your empathy; they never go unnoticed.

Your greatest strength, your superpower, is your empathy. Even when you feel unseen, you’re not.

I see you trying to figure out life, who you are, and who you want to be. I see you trying to make hard choices. I see you wanting to do what is good and what is right, though the pull of the world and social media is so strong. I see you

I see glimpses of the little boy you were and the man you are becoming. Sometimes I get frustrated with you for acting like a teenager, as you’ve always been my buddy and my right-hand man, my helper in all things, especially in the kitchen. But that’s not fair of me to put that on you. I see you.

I see you, and I see how life is going so fast now. You will always need to make decisions. Sometimes you will make good ones and sometimes not so much. It’s okay. It’s all part of growing up. Your failures and mistakes can help develop character if you learn and grow from them. That’s not an excuse to make bad choices, because even if you do learn and grow, there will always be consequences for your actions—always.

I see you. No matter what. Even when you think I’m too busy with your brothers to notice, I see you. And the truth is, I want to see more of you. I want to see your childlike qualities, your fun-loving and easygoing personality. I want to see pieces of the man God is at work on, your maturity, your growth, your confidence, your faith. I see you.

Don’t ever hide who you are for who the world wants you to be. The world needs you. You are going to do great things, and I’m so thankful to have a front row seat for it all.

I see you…and I love you.

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Cari Resnick

I am a wife to my firefighter husband and mom to three growing boys (two teens and a tween), one rescue pup, and two rescue cats. I’ve wanted to be a writer since the third grade. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, blogging, card making, running, hiking, walking, cooking, going to the dog park, and spending time with my family and friends. I have published two books, Loving You, A Journey Through Forever, co-authored with my sister, and a collection of Poetry titled, The Lord is Good, Poetry, Prayers, and Reflections. I also have stories and poetry in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Just for Teenagers, Mother’s of Angels, Mother’s of Angels Two, In Celebration of Sisters, and Soaring High. You can find me at lifeasafirewife.com or on Instagram at cari.resnick07.