Another birthday dawns, and I awaken to the sounds of ducks peeping
and quacking, birds singing and splashing water. I stretch and rise,
eager for the day: your special day – your birthday!
I dress and walk to the staircase. Breakfast and coffee must be
prepared and I want to make sure that your presents are well-hidden,
although you have a knack of finding even the most "cleverly" concealed
gift. I put my hand on the rail and pause as memories sweep over me –
memories of the time I stood at the top of these very stairs with you
in my arms. It was 2:00 a.m., just twelve short hours since I first
beheld your sweet face and breathed deeply of your unique scent. Twelve
short hours since, with arms outstretched, I said to our attorney,
"Give me my son!" and held you to me for the first time.
Twelve, short hours – you had awakened for your two o’clock feeding,
and I leapt from my bed, eager to hold you once again. I gathered you
up and started for the stairs. Something made me pause. I guess I just
wanted to take a moment to once again look at you, savor the feel of
your little body in my arms. I stood there, looking down at you,
breathing you in once again. You arched your back as if reaching toward
me, and I was lost.
Sixteen years have sped their course since that day. And yet, I can
still feel the thrill that leapt through my heart at that particular
moment of our bonding, of our truly becoming mother and son.
Memories race through my mind, like a slide show, embedded in my
heart and sealed forever until the end of time: memories of adventures
we have shared, cities we have explored … memories of raising you and
the joy it has brought me.
Sweet love, you have placed my feet upon a path which I never want
to leave. You have given me a gift far sweeter than I ever believed
possible. You have made me a mother. More importantly, you have made me
your mother.
I have watched you blossom and take on life’s challenges. I have
witnessed your struggle to overcome your learning differences. And I
have glowed with pride as you grew from babyhood to the incredible
young man you are today. In my joy and pride, I can’t help but reflect
on our journey as mother and son.
Sixteen years! To some it may seem like a long time, yet in twelve
short hours, my heart was lost. And it still is. You have held my heart
in your hand since that very moment. It’s a nice place to be.
