Happy Birthday Baby!

A letter to my son on his birthday:

I am overcome with emotion as I write this.  It is hard to believe that just nine years ago, you entered this world changing forever the lives of me, your father and so many others.  From the beginning, you challenged me.  You were like a puzzle that I had to put together without the benefit of a picture to look at.  With time, however, I started to understand you.  I became one with you.  I remember sitting in the rocker in your room for hours staring at you as I held you.  So many times I cried because I was overwhelmed with joy that you had entered my life.  As you grew, I was amazed by your zeal for life, your ability to notice every small detail in your environment and your ever increasing vocabulary!  That remains true to this day.

With each year, there were new challenges.  We worked through them together growing closer and closer along the way.  I am filled with love, pride and overwhelming joy when I think about the young man you have become.  You are sensitive, kind, and nurturing and you make me proud every single day.  You have so many gifts to share with the world.

You inspire me each and every day to want to be a better person and a better parent.  I would not be who I am today if it were not for you.  Happy birthday, baby.  I love you to edges of the universe and back. -- Mom