Travis you are special to me because:

Of all my grandchildren, you are the one who most reminds me of myself when I was younger.

You have been a fighter, an instigator, a disruptive volcano, a challenge to help direct in the right direction to say the least.

On the other side you are the big brother who enhances your younger sibling lives, you protect, teach, cheerlead and are just plain there when they need and want you.

You and I have many small squirmishes between us, I know I have learned a lot about you and your needs through these small battles. I have seen your worst and I have seen your best and I love and admire all parts of both the worst and the best.

I remember the challenge you through out that summer day on the back patio - in anguish you cried: "I will win the battle" I remember well our back and forth volley of angry words, "no I will" - "No way I am" back and forth, back and forth we went, neither of us getting to far. But the thing that I remember the most was telling you "No Travis I will win the war and do you want to know why? - because if I do not - we both loose".

Well my wonderful grandson, yes I did win that battle and together we both won the war!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have challenged me to be better, a better parent, better grandparent and a better person. You even managed to help me be more articulate and use less profanity in my language (nothing like hearing your grandson recount your swear words to his best friend on the telephone) - please for your old Granny....LOL soften some of the language when years down the road you tell your children about your potty mouth" Grandma Mackenzie pitching fits.

You have immortalized me as the "WHASSSSSS UP" Grandma and for that you are special to me, you teased me into being young at heart and enjoying the moment, it allowed the child in me to come out and play.

Remember as you take on adulthood, never! lock up that child inside, always give that child permission to play and be happy!

You are the only you in this whole wide world, you are unique, you are special and you are loved by many.

Me being one of them, your Grandma Mackenzie