It's hard for me to believe it now, but there was a time in my life when I wasn't sure I wanted to be a mother. I mean, kids can be so annoying and demanding! (I know I was!)
I thank God every single day that he changed my mind and blessed me with my three amazing kids, beginning with the one who turns 31 today.
Long gone are the days when I was in charge of his celebrations. He now plans his own, and with his wife's help, does a much better job than I ever did. Today he is exploring Cuba!
He promised we could celebrate together when he returns, because today is special for me, too - my 31st anniversary of becoming a mother. Truly the most life-changing, gratifying, challenging, and amazing job I could ever have imagined, even now that they are grown.
They continue to make me laugh, and continually amaze, challenge, encourage, inspire, motivate, support, and teach me.
...And yes, sometimes worry me, but that's because I'm a mom, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
So happy birthday, Tommy. May you continue to embrace and enjoy this life, and receive as much joy as you give to me and others. I hope today you are having fun adventures and collecting tons of priceless memories in Cuba, and they are just the beginning of another awesome year.
Love and thanks,
Mom
"The first fact about the celebration of birthdays is that it is a good way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive." ~G.K. Chesterton
