Happy Birthday, John

Photo of me and my two handsome sons, John (left), and Sam (right)

(Not Shown: my daughter Heather, and stepsons Brian and Tyler)

Today is John's birthday. He is celebrating it with his family at Cannon Beach. It's a well-needed rest for my hard-working son and his family. I am celebrating it here at home, and I have much to celebrate. Today is the day that I became a mother. I was blessed that God chose John to be my first child. John was a beautiful, good natured baby; thank goodness; because I was certainly a novice at child rearing! Throughout his childhood he retained that amiable nature. One day when John was only about 4 he was playing in the back yard. Our neighbor knocked on the door and said, "Hurry to your back window and look at John!" Thinking he might be up mischief, I rushed to the window to peek at him. There he was; swinging on the old swingset in our back yard, and singing a sweet little song. Less that 2 feet from him was a mother rabbit, with about 5 baby bunnies. They were hopping about him; totally unafraid. He got out of the swing and walked toward them. I thought for sure they'd run off, but they didn't; they allowed him to pet them! Even these wild animals sensed his kind nature. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen.

He grew to be a gifted student and a talented athlete with musical abilities as well. When I went for parent/teacher conferences, the teachers would just wave me off saying, "He's perfect, go on home; there's nothing more to say!" I knew he wasn't perfect, but it was undeniable that he had a certain something that set him apart from his peers.

John worked hard through high school. He picked berries, baled hay, and later worked in the mall food court. Resources were limited for him to go to college; but he continue to work hard, and put himself through school. He was only the second person in my immediate family to graduate from college. And now John has a beautiful family and a good career.

But I am celebrating much more than John's accomplishments today. I am celebrating the fact that (along with his siblings) he is a good person. From the moment I laid eyes on him, some 36 years ago, I knew he was. Time has only confirmed it. For those who can remember, it's been much like watching those first Polaroid photographs develop. You take the picture, it comes out dark, but what you knew was there gradually developed right before your eyes.

So thank you Heavenly Father, for making me a mom; and allowing me to watch my extraordinary children become extraordinary adults. It's been a rich experience indeed!

And thank you John, for being such a blessing to me. Happy, happy birthday to you!