Happy Birthday, Gerrit!

Seventeen years ago, today, Gerrit John van Uitert was born into our family. I can honestly say that he has been a pure joy ever since. He was a cute little baby with already very wide feet, copper red hair, and a wrinkly nose when he yawned. He had an infectious smile and laugh, with dimples in both cheeks and a small cleft in his chin. My brother, Karsten, used to say he looked like Kirk Douglas with that chin. Gerrit was almost always smiling and pleasant to be around, if not a bit exhausting, as well. Go, go, go!... was the motto for this little tyke; dancing on the table, shaking the torch lamps, pulling the videos and books off the shelf...go, go, go! My sister, Barbara, even asked me once if I thought he might have ADD, because this kid was so active and engaged in one thing after another. My other sister, Karen, might remember babysitting Gerrit and feeling the heart attack at realizing that Gerrit was running through the parking lot to the car. He didn't walk much...he ran! It was a fun activity, indeed, to sit this little guy on your lap and play patty cake and peek-a-boo, because of the reaction he always gave...hysterical laughter and the hugest grins. Carolyn, my oldest sister, used to sit him on her lap for that very thing and they would laugh, and laugh, and laugh. What a joy Gerrit has been!

Gerrit doesn't sit on my lap anymore to play patty cake or peek-a-boo; he doesn't pull the movies and books off the shelf; he certainly doesn't dance on the table! Gerrit DOES still play games, though, but now more with his friends, and he still smiles and laughs through them all. He's still ticklish and still has those dimples and that little cleft in his chin. His copper red hair is only obvious in direct sunlight, but his feet are still just as wide. Although he doesn't dance on the table anymore, he still loves to dance at ballroom dance classes and school/church dances. He's a natural at playing the melody of music he hears on the piano and still lights up the room with that smile. Gerrit is a straight A student with a 4.0 and excels at anything he does. He is a responsible, down to earth, friendly, forgiving, and worthy Priesthood holder who makes friends easily, leads inherently, and has an honest desire to do what is right. I love to hear him bless the Sacrament in church, and note that he performs his duties deliberately and with reverence. He is President of his Priest Quorum and an active Home Teacher. How could I ever want for more in a son? I thank my Heavenly Father for my first son, for the joy he has brought to our lives, and for the example he is to his brother and sisters, as well as the youth in our community who look to him and trust in his judgment. A special thanks goes out to all of our family and friends who have taken part in Gerrit's life, in any and all ways, and have impacted his life for the better. Here's hoping for another successful year in the life of Gerrit John, one full of memories for his old mom to cling to when we see him off on his own in two short years! Cheers!