Day Like Today

Thank you to everyone who entered my 100th post contest. I really enjoyed reading your ideas on the great inventions, and I continue to be astounded at the wittiness of the people who read my blog. I'm happy to announce that the winner, chosen by a random number generator, is Jojo from My Random Insanities. Jojo, if you will email me your address (blissfulbaritone at yahoo dot com) I will send your fabulous prize! I had so much fun with this contest, maybe I'll do one every month. I bet I can think up some totally wild subjects for you all to comment on...

We interrupt the regularly scheduled Friday Fragments post to allow for a special presentation. Today is my oldest son's birthday, and I couldn't resist the chance to talk about him a bit. Twenty-two years ago today I was in labor - induced labor - with Brandon, and I remember it vividly. It was a mixture of emotions, ranging from excitement to frustration to terror. When the decision was made to perform an emergency C-section, I remember saying a prayer, just as they put me under, for God to please just let my baby be all right, and I can remember meeting him, several hours later, and thinking he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Brandon, you have been a treasure and a blessing to me every day for the last 22 years, and I want to take this opportunity to tell you some of the things I love about you.

Thanks for being such an easy baby. I had no idea what I was doing, and you made a great 'starter kid.' Sorry about that time I dropped you - in my defense, I had no idea that the nylon baby bag thing you were wearing would be so slippery in my nylon parka-clad arms.

You've always been a chick magnet. You probably don't remember this, but right after this picture was taken, you tried to kiss this little girl and she slugged you. Timing is everything. Luckily, you seem to have gotten it right with Sandy, and I am glad to see that you treat each other with respect and caring.

You never seemed to mind that your earliest playmates were puppies.

All the dogs always loved you, and you loved them right back. You were (and are) the best puppy socializer I've ever known.

Whenever we have had a litter of puppies, you always wanted to be the first one to hold them, and I never had to tell you to be careful or gentle. You just knew.

This photo, of you and Cinder, was taken during a 'negotiation' in which you tried to convince your father and I that you should be allowed to stay home from school because one of our dogs was going to give birth, and you didn't want to miss it. As it turned out, she waited one more day (until Saturday) and you didn't have to miss anything.

I love that you are the kind of person who loves the outdoors. This is one of my favorite pictures of you, happy with just a couple of sticks to play with. The expression on your face is one I still see on your face every year when you go back to work at the camp.

I only took this picture so that I would have something embarrassing to pull out and show your girlfriends some day. Yes, that is a fuzzy ducky jacket you are wearing.

You are the best big brother any kid could ever want. Thank you for being a great playmate, protector and friend to my other favorite son. I hope you and Alex remain close always.

Thanks for never going through that miserable, sullen teenage thing, and for never acting embarassed to be seen with me. I admire your appreciation of the absurdities of life and your ability to find humor in the simplest things. You're kind of twisted. I love that.

I love that you dress up as a pirate to entertain the kids at camp. You rock. Even though it took me about a million hours to make you this pirate coat, it was worth it.

One of the best times I've ever had was the trip you and I took to Washington, D.C. We had such an awesome time - even the long drive was fun, listening to Ipod music and singing along. The highlights for me were seeing you visit the monuments and museums for the first time, swimming in the rooftop pool at night, The Spy Museum (remember those cool sunglasses?) and of course The National Zoo, where this photo was taken. 9 glorious days I'll never forget.

Brandon, I'm incredibly proud of you - of the man you've grown up to be. Being your mom has made me a better, happier person. Thanks for changing my life in such a profound way. I love you.