I could never have imagined the way he would impact my life. Not in my wildest dreams. People told me I could not understand the love a parent has for a child until I had children of my own.
And they were right.
I didn’t understand.
But then, I didn’t really believe them either. At least not deep down in my soul.
He blasted into this world 25 years ago today just after 7 a.m.
And my life has never been the same.
It had been a long night of labor and I believe that just might have been indicative of the long road ahead. A long, joyous, exciting, sometimes trying, but always adventurous road ahead.
This is one of my favorite pictures. He was about 2 and those two teeth you see are all he had for a long time.
See that clinched fist? That is how he clings to things he holds dear to his heart. For many years it was a lego piece.
Or a possum puppet.
These days it is family. His grandparents. Life.
He lives life to the fullest and I am so proud of him.
He was four in this picture. I always thought this would make a good “milk moustache” picture.
These days he drinks milk by the gallons. And eats cereal by the box full.
He has made mistakes…and so have I.
He has made decisions he regrets…and so have I.
He has said things he shouldn’t have said…and so have I.
He has let go of dreams…only to find new, different and better dreams.
He has pushed me to my boundaries, only to give me the biggest hug and say, “I love you, Mom. Thank you.”
He has always said “I love you.” Even in high school in front of his peers.
These days, he rarely leaves the house without saying “I love you.”
at the beach last year
When he was born he was the shortest baby in the nursery. He measured just over 20″. These days he is 6′ 6″.
He works and goes to school full-time.
He goes to church, has a personal relationship with the Lord and sometimes keeps his room clean.
And keeps the door shut if it’s not clean.
He has learned that life doesn’t always go as planned or dreamed, but that all of the detours make up who we are.
The detours are part of our story. And our story is designed by God….so it is a story worth living and reading.
Andy, I love you more than you can possibly know…you enrich my life.
And while there have been times that I didn’t think I go do this mom thing one more day, I am so glad I did.
I love you and I am so proud of the man you have become…
Love this!! It's so hard to wrap up 25 years in a blog post, but this is packed with so much feeling. I'm loving the pictures, especially the 4 year old one. How adorable. Happy Birthday Andy!
Love this!! It's so hard to wrap up 25 years in a blog post, but this is packed with so much feeling. I'm loving the pictures, especially the 4 year old one. How adorable. Happy Birthday Andy!
Thank you, Kathleen. The cards your kids made were adorable!!!
Can't tell you how much this post does my heart good.
Thank you, Nancy. I know you can relate!
What a beautiful birthday expression of a Mother's love…Your story sounds so familiar. Give him lots of hugs from your blogging friends….
Oh, Nancy…you are always to encouraging to me.
Mary,
You are blessed to have Andy for a son, and he is certainly blessed to have you and John for parents. God bless you all.
Bill