Today I Celebrate You

Today I celebrate you because 13 years ago today, at 9:10 am you came into my life and made me complete; all 9lbs. and 11 oz's of you. Although I never found out that You were You ahead of time, I already knew when You arrived that You were You. My response to, "It's a boy!" was, "Yes, I know".

Today I celebrate you for the years of joy you have brought me. Your kind heart and your tender ways make me proud each day to call you my own.

Today I celebrate you for having goals and dreams. As for your dream of one day becoming a Longhorn, I will do whatever I can to aid you in achieving that goal. So if I push you to work to your potential in school, please know that together we share in those victories; each bringing you one step closer to the school of your dreams. I won't let you down, ever. I will be here to remind you that if you give up your dreams, you have nothing.

Today I celebrate you for each of the special gifts you have received from God. That at 2 years old, when the world came calling, we watched you swing a golf club in awe and we traveled around the country sharing your unique story. I celebrate that through the years, as you remained top dog on the course, you watched the others around you getting bigger and better, till one day they caught up to you. I watched you lose with dignity and work harder to maintain your edge, learning at a young age that perfection is not a constant, but a gift to be valued. Hard lessons for a little boy to swallow, yet you maintained hard work and dedication as the key to your success and that humility keeps you honest.

Today I celebrate you for your love of the underdog and your stubbornness that usually finds you on the unpopular side of an issue. Your ability to maintain your stance when opposed never ceases to amaze, infuriate and inspire me.

Today I celebrate you for your athletic prowess. It is true, that if it involves a stick and a ball, you are in. It is so much a part of who you are, that as an infant you would instinctually put your beloved "blankie" on the floor and hit plastic pacifier out of it, as if they were golf balls buried deep in a bunker at Augusta. I celebrate along with you when you raise your stick on the ice after scoring a goal and that you picked up a Lacrosse stick for the first time this year and yet you play like you have been playing for years. I celebrate most the enjoyment of watching you experience your love of the game; any game, as long as you can somehow be a part of it and I share in your pride when grown men marvel with envy at the beauty of your golf swing.

Today I celebrate you as my protector and friend. The one who quietly watches over me when things get tough and would give me the last piece of bacon on his plate if I asked. When My Guy is out of town, I know that you quietly watch out for your sister and I, as you assume your position as man of the house.

Today I celebrate that although you will always be my baby, that you are no longer a baby at all, and already almost as tall as I am. That you are growing and changing into a man before my eyes, yet you still allow me to hug and kiss you just as I did when you were little. Thank you for allowing me to shower you with affection, somehow knowing that I may need it more than you.

Today I celebrate you; my son, my life.

I love you. I cannot thank you enough for the gift of you.

Happy Birthday