Your 19th Birthday

I remember when I was young

and my parents would often say to me

that Jesus was coming back soon.

And I would be sad.  I told God

that before He came back, I'd 

really like to be married 

and have some children.

I was just thinking back to this

and telling your sister about it recently.

And here, I not only got married

but I now have a son 

who is nineteen years old.

Nineteen!!

I think back to the first eighteen years

of your life and I have a snapshot.

You are my first baby.  A boy.

I was so thrilled to find out 

I was going to have a boy.

Having grown up with two sisters,

I wondered what it would be like

to raise a boy.

And between then and now,

I can't say enough how happy I am

for the young man you have been

and are and will be.

I love your good sense of humor.

You always caught on to ours

and would run with it -

adding a unique perspective 

of your own that would make 

your Dad and I laugh.

You are uncomplicated and simple.

You don't do drama.  

You don't play head games

(Only video and computer ones).

You enjoy helping others.

You love to include others

in the things you enjoy 

and show them and be together 

enjoying new music, games

or hobbies.

I remember how often you'd 

call me over to hear a new song

you'd discovered, to tell me about

a new game or a new technical 

program.

If it was worthy, you'd hide

your newfound treasure deep within

in your computer files.

I always said you collect all of them.

You love discovering new 

technical gadgets and things

that bring your computer 

to the height of optimization.

I don't think your Dad and I 

could get along in life technically 

had it not been for you.

In fact, this last year we have 

just barely made it 

in our technical world without you.

We've called you so often

to help us with this and that.

And truly, I see that you want to be helpful in this world.  

You love helping others in the

wonderful way only you can.

Thank you for being a wonderful son!

Thank you for all those times

sharing coffee and good music.

Keep being who God made you to be.

He makes each of us unique

and for a special place He has for us.

Don't try to fit into any mold.

God doesn't do molds.

He does new creations.

He does freedom and life.

He does love and relationship.

Happy birthday to you today 

my sweet son!!  

It is a beautiful day

because you were born!!