There was a time when I thought I would never be a mother. I would never hold that precious bundle, face all the many moments that being a mother brought. I watched all the other mothers envious and yet overjoyed for them. We never went for testing or any of the alternate ways of conception. If it was meant to be, it would and that was that. All the while, God had a very amazing son in mind for me, when the time was right.
Your life was not a cake walk my son. You faced many of the challenges that others have before you but also individual to you. The fact that you are you, seeing things in your individual way, blazing your own trails through life, have shown how strong you are. How capable you are. Every challenge, every battle, has taught you much. You have gained strength and insight through the journey you take.
You have no patience for or with drama. Even from me, maybe especially from me as you think I should be better than that. Maybe I should. Often now I have caught myself thinking, what would my son think of this? I try not to share less than good news from other places. I try not to whine too much over my personal struggles. He tries to shrug it off with indifference, but I know he feels it and it bothers that old soul of his.
When his father was alive we went on many adventures, from the mountains to the beach. From Georgia to Tennessee we traveled. The adventures varied, often with challenges of their own, never ever starting on time. When his dad died, my son went from fancy free young man, to full grown adult in a matter of moments. He stepped up and has taken care of me in many ways. With home repairs, with my struggles with technology, with car repairs. He also convinces me to go on adventures again, refusing to allow me to become the recluse that could so easily happen.
Happy birthday my son. I know you won’t see this, but I want the universe to know how proud I am of the amazing man you have become. I know your dad would be as well. I have no doubt he is up there now nudging my brother and all the other family members who have gone on before with the “that’s my boy” comment. I love you son, may this birthday be one of many more to come.
Words from The Dirt Road 
Happy Birthday, young man! 👍🏻