Happy Birthday, Michael
The birth of a child is a life changing event for a mother. The emotions are overwhelming - awe, pride, joy and gratitude to God for this most precious gift, as well as an enormous sense of responsibility. From that first moment, there is an incredible awareness of the promise and potential of this new person and of the responsibility for nurturing that potential and allowing it to flourish. Whether or not this new person grows up to find the cure for cancer or become President of the United States, the world is forever changed by his (or her) presence.
Each of my children is in my mind and heart every day, but a birthday is a special occasion, an opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future. Usually we share the "day you were born" story and talk about some of the memorable events that we have shared through the years.
I can't be with Michael (monkeyji) today. He is far away in Ethiopia and not even accessible by telephone. When we spoke a few days ago, he was completing the portfolio reporting on his work this semester and preparing to leave for a brief trip to Gambela. The end of his semester in Ethiopia is drawing near and he will be home in a few weeks. I can't wait to see him and learn first hand about his experiences. From our conversations and his writing, I know that these months in Ethiopia have affected him deeply and changed him forever in very positive ways.
I have so much be thankful for, but I am particularly thankful today for the gift of Michael and for the fact that Michael is so alive, so vibrant, and so full of concern for others. As a parent, I am enormously proud of what he has accomplished and of the person he has become. His three years in the Friends World Program have taken him to many parts of the world and exposed him to many cultures, many faiths, and many of the world's problems. When others ask me what he is going to do when he finishes college, I answer that I have have no idea, but I am absolutely certain that we will look back in ten years and find that this has been the perfect education for whatever Mike decides to do with his life.
His life, like those of his brother and sister, has enriched me beyond anything I could have imagined when I thought about becoming a mother. He has taught me much more than I have taught him. Being a mother - being his mother - has changed me forever and I am forever grateful for that.
Wherever you are today, Michael, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers in a special way today and that I am celebrating who you are and looking forward to who you will become. It has been an amazing 23 years, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The good times and the rough times have made us both stronger and closer. I love you. Happy Birthday!
Each of my children is in my mind and heart every day, but a birthday is a special occasion, an opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future. Usually we share the "day you were born" story and talk about some of the memorable events that we have shared through the years.
I can't be with Michael (monkeyji) today. He is far away in Ethiopia and not even accessible by telephone. When we spoke a few days ago, he was completing the portfolio reporting on his work this semester and preparing to leave for a brief trip to Gambela. The end of his semester in Ethiopia is drawing near and he will be home in a few weeks. I can't wait to see him and learn first hand about his experiences. From our conversations and his writing, I know that these months in Ethiopia have affected him deeply and changed him forever in very positive ways.
I have so much be thankful for, but I am particularly thankful today for the gift of Michael and for the fact that Michael is so alive, so vibrant, and so full of concern for others. As a parent, I am enormously proud of what he has accomplished and of the person he has become. His three years in the Friends World Program have taken him to many parts of the world and exposed him to many cultures, many faiths, and many of the world's problems. When others ask me what he is going to do when he finishes college, I answer that I have have no idea, but I am absolutely certain that we will look back in ten years and find that this has been the perfect education for whatever Mike decides to do with his life.
His life, like those of his brother and sister, has enriched me beyond anything I could have imagined when I thought about becoming a mother. He has taught me much more than I have taught him. Being a mother - being his mother - has changed me forever and I am forever grateful for that.
Wherever you are today, Michael, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers in a special way today and that I am celebrating who you are and looking forward to who you will become. It has been an amazing 23 years, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The good times and the rough times have made us both stronger and closer. I love you. Happy Birthday!