Saturday, July 2, 2011

Are You Serious?

Today marks the day that twenty-four years ago I became a mama!  Seriously?  Twenty-four years!?  Yikes!  All those years ago, I was entrusted with a teeny-tiny baby, a precious, living soul.  I had no idea just how precious that gift was.

Dearest, precious Matthew,

Wow, I can’t even start this without the tears flowing.  My heart aches for you to know, to really know how much your Father loves you.  To know how much I love you. 

Your name means “gift of God”, and that, you have been.

One Smaller

When I found out I was pregnant for you, I was scared, unsure of our future.  So many emotions, but one thing  I knew, I was so thrilled to be a mama.  So thrilled to have a baby of my own to love.  That joy and excitement is what pushed all the fears and doubts away.  I didn’t care, I had you!  Even though I didn’t really know God back then, somewhere deep inside I knew everything was going to be okay.

Three Smaller

The years have been filled with every.single.emotion possible, I am sure.  So many ups and downs.  Life didn’t always turn out like we had planned, but one thing I know, I think I am prepared to say I wouldn’t change a thing.  That is big, you know, but I wouldn’t want to change who we are and who we will become because of the circumstances.

Two Smaller

I am so proud to be your mama.  You truly are a gift.  You have taught me things I didn’t even know I needed to learn.  You have stretched me to places I have never been.  I have made so many mistakes, too many to even count, but you always forgive and love.  Your smile, your laughter, your hugs, bring a joy to my heart like none other.

Four Smaller

I can not believe you are twenty-four years old!  I still see that little boy playing in the little pool . . . that precious face looking up at me . . . I remember your first day of 3 year old preschool, 4 year old preschool, Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten and First Grade.  The only child I know who had five years of school under his belt before being homeschooled in the Second Grade.  Sorry it took so long to figure that one out Winking smile

Teaching you math, trying to convince you that the Saxon text book is NOT wrong . . . playing on the beach, year after year . . .  drivers training . . . the long sad drive to Kentucky . . . the wanting nothing more than to hold you close all those years . . . seeing you become a daddy . . . seeing the difference in your face after Georgia . . .

Five Smaller

My sweet Matthew, it is a joy and an honor to be your mama!  I love you with a love so deep it shocks even me.  It is with great, great excitement that I look toward your future.  There is no greater joy than to see you walking in the Light, no greater joy than watching you be a husband and a father.

P1030295

I have just one thing to say,

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

6 comments:

cooperkelly4 said...

Yay! What a milestone! Just spent 3 days driving across the country. happy birthday to your son and I love the book you quoted at the end. =0) What a sweet joy it must be to watch him grow and mature and become the man God has called him to be!

Griz Creative said...

Thank you mom, this means so much to me today. I love you very much.

Thank you for all you have done in the last 24 years and the unconditional love you have shown me that has made me who I am today.

-Matthew

ps. Thank you too Dad

Linda said...

Michelle, this was a beautiful post you did for Matthew. I loved seeing his comment too.

Happy Birthday to your special son!

Life is a learning process isn't it! I wouldn't change my life either...even though I also made mistakes. I am just thankful that God is never through teaching us, and growing us!

Love to you and yours sweet lady!

Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Sheesh...now you've gone and made me cry.
Is it not amazing to see what God can do???

Kim said...

That is awesome. I love it. We love that book too.

Coby said...

What a beautiful post to your son! Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Even though my oldest are 4, they're always our babies, huh?