Happy Birthday

“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!“

Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday! (Birthday horn blasting a triumphant serenade)

While you’re probably headed to work after prepping Josh for school and feeding the kids breakfast, it should be remembered that today is a very special day for you; the anniversary of when you came into the world! I’ll say it again – Happy Birthday!

I’m a firm believer that our birthdays ought to be celebrated with as much flash/flare as Dr. Seuss illustrates in The Birthday Book. However, it seems more acceptable to dread and fear another year of life than it is to celebrate and rejoice in it. Today we are rejoicing for your life. And what a wonderful life is has been and continues to be!

Since I’ve known you – as I certainly hope I have, being your son and all – you’ve done a magnificent job of putting the color and joy into the mundane moments of life that often wear us down. No alarm clock will ever replace Mr. Pig or the sound of you playing your flute in the morning.

“You know your mother is a professional flute player, right?” I remember Mr. Andrews asking me during a saxophone lesson. Looking back on it, it hadn’t quite hit me that you were a professional. Whether it’s in the walls of your home or from behind those god-awful gray box stands at CA, you have gifted thousands of people with the talent of your musical ability.

You always seemed to come alive when I could hear you play at home. Musical translation of the heart, expressed to a household of sleeping children, hamsters, dogs, and birds. Prior to moving out, I remember hearing you play your flute and realizing just how much I was going to miss that sound. I don’t think I’ve ever told you this until now.

You’ve given a lot of gifts in your life; time, items, care, love, compassion, guidance, and heart. Not a single action you’ve made has been made from a selfish heart. And I don’t think nearly enough people have ever taken the time to come back to you and thank you for all you’ve done and the true gift that you are as a human being.

So, I wanted to thank you for all that you have been in my life and even to others. And to tell you that while I am not wrapped up in a box and a bow, that as one of your sons, I’m one of the gifts you’ve given to the world that is also your gift. And unlike the gifts that can be given back (though I believe Lydia wanted to ‘send Mark back’) we, as your children, deeply love and care for you and always will.

You are such a gift and treasure. While the love and appreciation dad had for you cannot be matched, know that your children – scattered all over the world – have a heart that appreciates, loves, respects, and honors you.

I hope you take some time today for you. Even if it’s just ‘five minutes peace’ in the bath before the kids implode over something small. You may not be getting pampered at the spa today, but you should know that outside and in – you are beautiful and radiant.

Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you.

Your Son,

Aaron

Featured Image from Deviantart