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Monday, November 10, 2008

It Was 20 Years Ago Today...


Twenty years ago today at 2:24 a.m....you made me a Mom and you made your father "Papa". I remember holding you in the recovery room and thinking I'd be dropping you off at a dorm room soon and I should just hold on tight because you'd only be with me a short while. And it did feel like such a short while! You made us parents and while when you were a baby I'd pine for more baby days, but I had no idea what a wonderful young man you would become...How we loved watching you play your favorite sport in high school, soccer...
How proud we were when you graduated from Papa's High School and now you are both alumni...
We gladly sent you traveling to Norway this summer, to expand your horizons (but was I happy when that plane landed!)...
We know when the surf is up, you'll be gone to chase the waves...
How blessed you've been to have good friends along your journey...
We love how fun you are with your younger sisters, how you'll join in the Easter egg hunt or just shoot them off to McDonald's...
You started our family and everything that came after you, that came after Nov. 10, 1988, is bcause of you joining us on our life's journey...
When I stand with you and I feel the prescence of a man and I think, "Hey, maybe we did a pretty good job!" You're kind, gentle, intelligent, creative, and so accepting of others...
You make us proud! You rely on Papa and take in his advice...really, you two are the best of friends...we love you...
Even if your surfing stuff is all over the house!
And now, you are in your second year of art college. We spent Parent's Day with you this weekend and I can't tell you how impressed I am with you. It's OK for a parent to say that about their child, I think. Because when you were in my arms in that recovery room, I wondered what would happen to you, what life would bring you, what you would bring to life. I felt nervous and a bit scared. After spending the day with you, I want to be able to fly back to myself 20 years ago and whisper in my ear:"He's a wonderful young man, don't worry about it! He'll be just fine!"
You have brought us nothing but joy, dear son. Thank you!

40 comments:

Adrienne said...

Happy birthday to your dear son! Your post today made me smile and cry. My tears were from what I feel when I think of the arrival and life of my wonderful son. I identified with everything you shared. Isn't it amazing to have such a wonderful grown son who makes you proud to say you're his mom? And. . .where did the time go? It seems it was just yesterday!
~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post Tara and how handsome he is. I am lucky like you. I have two of them. :)

Donna said...

A big Happy Birthday to your wonderful and handsome son, Tara! What a great post!

Hugs,
Donna

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Awww Tara... they grow up so fast don't they? My son will be 30 in the new year and now he'll soon become a father himself. I can hardly believe that, as it feels like it was just yesterday that I held him in my arms and felt the world grow brighter and filled with more possibilities.

Your son is such a handsome young man! Happy birthday to him, and I wish him much success and happiness this year in college.

Hugs, Pat

Tracy said...

Oh, my goodness...what a sweet, tender post, Tara! Hope your son has the very happiest 20th! :o) What a beautiful young man he is...Wishing him all joy! And you for having him...Happy week, my friend ((HUGS))

annechovie said...

Tara, this was beautifully written from your heart, what a wonderful tribute! So nice when parents and their children have a great relationship - I know you must be a very good mom, too! Have a great week!

Kathleen Grace said...

Very beautiful, I hope you print this post out and save it for him. Happy birthday, what a good looking young man:>)

Deb said...

Happy Birthday Wishes to your son Tara. What a beautiful post & family!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Handsome and artistic? You did good with that one!!!

Anonymous said...

He is just as handsome today as when I was here yesterday. (big grin). I have a dream and that dream is to invite all my blogging friends to visit for a weekend. Wouldn't that be fun?

Betty said...

Happy Birthday to you handsome son! And congratulations to his momma and papa for a job well done!

Unknown said...

Dearest Tara, what a good looking, handsome and fine young man! My son is only 7 and very soon I guess I'll be posting something like this ;p I am so glad he bought tons of joy to you...big hugs to him and you too :D

MeMeMe said...

What a blessing he is. How blessed and priviledged we are to have our children.

Love,
Jeannie

Unknown said...

What a handsome young man Tara, you must be so proud. Personally you look so young I always think of you with your little girl. Happy Birthday. Karen

Gina said...

Best wishes to your DS Tara..hope he has a super day!..lovely post and family photos you've shared here..have a great week Gx

Anonymous said...

Your post made my cry...I can so relate - our daughter is 23. It makes you so proud to see what beautiful people they become......maybe, just maybe we did it right! I enjoy your blog.

Carletta said...

What a really handsome Birthday Guy!
A really touching post Tara - I smiled all the way through it thinking of how we Mom's think about things.

Unknown said...

Oh Tara that made me cry! What a handsome and talented son you have...I can see why you are so proud! I can tell that you are such a good mother.

Wishing you a great week!

Annie

kelly said...

omg, Tara, what a beautiful post and your family is beautiful too. happy bday!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Tara, thank you for coming by my new guestroom. Your comment made me laugh! I wish I could invite you all over to stay in that room, LOL.

What a handsome son you have & such a sweet birthday tribute from a mom.

Alexa Lett said...

Lovely post!...and handsome son.

Dena said...

Hi Tara,

What a handsome young man he is! They do grow up so fast don't they? My first son will be 19 tomorrow and I wish I could reverse time, stuff him back in his red feetie jammies and watch Disney movies. *Sigh* Happy Birthday to your sweet son.

Hugs,
Dena

bj said...

Oh, what a loving post and, my, he is soooo handsome. I may have to feature HIM on my blog instead of Matthew, or Harrison or Hugh Grant...Well...of COURSE he is handsome...look where his genes came from!!
love, bj

Lisa said...

What a wonderful young man you have raised! Happy Birthday to your son and congratulations on a job well done Mom! Your post so touched my heart as I too am so proud of how wonderful children can be. Celebrate today, you deserve it!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

That was truly beautiful...I love the idea of travelling back and whispering in your ear...

What a handsome guy...with a wonderful life ahead of him!

My oldest turned 19 this year. It flies by...really flies by.

Mary said...

Wow, what a handsome kid, Tara, and what a sweet post. Happy birthday to your baby!
xoxo,
Mary

Susie Q said...

He is so handsome! This is such a wonderful tribute.

Love,
Sue

Just A Girl said...

Good morning Tara,
What a beautiful tribute to your son...he is so cute! You must be so proud of him.
I'll try to email you in the next couple of days.
xo Cori

Gypsy Butterfly said...

Hello Tara,
What a beautiful and touching post about your son!!!!!
He looks like a great person and not to forget to mention a very handsome young man. You also have a very lovely family. I love all the photos. Thank you for sharing.
Wishing your son a very happy belated birthday!
Have a wonderful day,
Lydia

Sandi McBride said...

Happy Birthday to your handsome boy. Many many more and much success in his chosen career!
hugs
Sandi

pve design said...

Tara,
I was never good at math, but you must have been about 2 when you had him cause you look so young and what a lucky guy to have you for a Mom.
Happy 20th! Be proud... and please give yourself a pat on the back!
Job well done...
Patricia

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Such a wonderful tribute to your lovely son! Congratulations on a job well done! And Happy Birthday to him!

dlyn said...

Awww Tara - what a lovely post. Not to mention a good looking son - yikes! Always nice to see our hard work pay off isn't it?

Cottage Contessa said...

What a beautiful post Tara. Happy Birthday to your handsome young man! Wishing you a wonderful weekend sweetie!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Kristie said...

That was one of the sweetest things I've read in a long time. Great, heartfelt post.
Our sons are the same age, btw.
And I love your sons hair!! :)

joyh82 said...

Is your son 20?? My son is in his second year of college and will be 20 on January 1st.. Time sure fly's by.. You have a wonderful young man there!

Kelly said...

Oh wow how cool is he! What an awesome post, my Son is 13 and I let him read this, he enjoyed it and to read about your son and what he is taking in college! And the surfing is also a big hit with him. And I recall that nervous Norway flight, oh I felt it for you! how sweet this whole fmaily is, you are very blessed my dear friend! Have a great week!

Kelly

Siobhan said...

Tara,

You brought tears to my eyes! Your words are beautiful and of a mother that truly loves her son. Our children are our life and to see a wonderful gift from god grow into a fine young man like you have now is just amazing! Well done for being such great parents and sharing your wonderful young man with the world.

Happy Brithday to your son!

Siobhan xo

bj said...

good morning, sister friend..
love, bj

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Tara!

I just gave you a "7 reandom or weird things book tag" on my blog! I know it's a busy time of the year so maybe you'll want to do it after Thanksgiving? Thanks!

Hugs, Pat