Twenty eight years ago was a Sunday. I remember this because the Super Bowl was on television and my husband (at the time) kept going back and forth from my room and the waiting room to keep up on the score. I was busy concentrating on my focal point, which happened to be a photograph of a nest of baby bunnies. I think there were dandelions in the photo, also. It was an induced labor; fast and unfriendly, but the product of the experience was a six pound baby boy who we gave the family name of Karl August. I hope he can forgive me for the August part. :-)
He was a deeply unhappy newborn and a ticked off toddler, but then something happened, I have no idea what, and he became this angelic child that took my breath away when he smiled.
From that point on he was, and is just simply lovely. Loving, kind, generous. I love to tell the story from his first grade Christmas when each child in his class was asked to bring a gift to give another student. As all the children opened their gifts one of the girls, a particularly impoverished child from a struggling family, opened her gift and discovered that it was broken. Karl immediately got up, crossed the room and gave Joy his gift. I recall that all adults present had themselves a nice old cry. He still has that sweet, tender heart.
I am endlessly grateful that he and his sister have always had a beautiful relationship. Karl is a good big brother, always looking out for his impetuous sister and she for him.
And today he is twenty eight. Engaged to be married and looking for a house to begin their new life together. Volunteer fireman and EMT and all around great guy. There are no words in this mother's vocabulary that can truly express how much he means to me and how incredibly proud I am of the man he has become. Of all the things that I may have done right in my life, my children are at the top of the list.
Happy birthday (ha...remember when forgot the "r" in birthday on your cake? :-) )Karl, and many, many more to come. Your mother loves you and always will. Have a grand day. If there was ever a guy worth celebrating, you are surely him. xoxoxox
Wow Holly -- this story brings tears to my eyes today! Your children are simply the most incredibly beautiful kids I have ever seen -- either that or the most photogenic! It is so great to hear a parent love and dote on their children -- if this were more prominent today, I think we would have fewer drugs and gangs. I love reading your blogs -- they help put me into a good frame of mind and then I can go to sleep peacefully. Thanks, Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Adams | January 27, 2010 at 10:04 PM