6 Times Around the Sun

(In the Waldorf community, young children hear a unique birthday story every year often involving the rainbow bridge. It grounds them and provides a special sense of security, belonging, and abiding love.)

Today my sweet son Aidan turned six. His energy spent, he drifts to sleep knowing he is deeply loved after hearing his birthday story:

Aidan's Birthday Story

Once upon a time there was a little child named Aidan who was still with the angels in heaven and he was very happy there. He looked at the beautiful colors and danced to the lovely music, and that was where he belonged. One day the clouds parted in heaven and Aidan saw the beautiful green earth below with all the people happily playing and working. He saw all the colors of the rainbow on the earth. He saw butterflies visiting flowers and birds flying in the air. He saw fish swimming in the sea and all the different plants that covered the earth. He saw children climbing trees running and jumping in the meadows and walking through sand and leaves. It was all so beautiful and seemed to becon him to come and he longed to go there and see what it was like.

So he said to his angel, "Please, may I go down to earth now?" But his angel looked at him and said, "No, God says it is too soon. You must wait a little while yet." So the child went and was content to wait his time. Then one day again he saw a glimpse of the earth through the clouds again. He saw people doing their work. He saw train conductors and firefighters and teachers and farmers. He saw mothers and fathers loving their children. Then he saw a beautiful woman and strong man with love and longing in their heart for a child and a grandma and grandpa patiently waiting for him.

He went to the angels and told them of all he had seen. He told them of the woman and the man and the grandparents. He told the angels of the love he was feeling for the Earth family and of his deep desire to be with them. The angels smiled with joy... "This is your family! Now is the perfect time for you to join them" they told him. "We will take you down the Rainbow Bridge to Earth so that you may live with them and be their son."

Late that night, a beautiful rainbow bridge stretched from heaven to earth and on it came the child as a tiny baby. He came right into his mother's loving arms. As the mother and father looked at their precious son, they smiled and whispered, "We will call him Aidan Paul."

In Aidan's first year, he spent much time with his mama, liked to laugh at his funny father, he learned to call his Grandma Yaya, and brought much joy to his Grandpa. That year, he met many people who were glad he arrived.

In Aidan's second year, he had traveled far and wide with his mama, father and Yaya, saw ancient stones and majestic castles, and learned to sing beautiful songs that made everyone smile.

In Aidan's third year, he loved to play with trains and traveled to a land of breath-taking beauty and warmth.

In Aidan's fourth year, Aidan was joined by a new baby brother and proved to be the best of big brothers. He loved to run, chase bubbles and dance.

In Aidan's fifth year, His family all traveled to a Magical Kingdom. He made friends and enjoyed learning about the earth and especially loved to pick strawberries and shuck corn!

In Aidan's sixth year, Aidan learned about the world around him and traveled by train with his family across the country where he saw beauty at every turn. He became a wonderful artist sharing his view of the world on paper.

Now he begins his seventh year. What adventures await!?