My baby boy is turning 18 years old. This past year I’ve found my breath catching with a tiny sob at the most mundane moments. Every event resonates with finality and a sense that an era is passing, which, of course, it is.
This is James with our dog, Lily, in 1995. James is five years old, and Lily is three. Lily died in 2005, and James took it hard. He’s what you’d call a “highly sensitive person,” a trait he gets from me. Our personalities are very similar.
That same year marked the beginning of divorce proceedings which are still ongoing. This whole process is definitely most difficult for James. He told me he’d thought of asking for nothing for his birthday except that his dad and I finalize the divorce so everyone could move on. I’d give him that if I could.
James is a musician; he plays guitar and sings. He also plays Guitar Hero, and is, I understand, really good at it. He has introduced me to many bands, and I’ve returned the favor. He gave me Green Day and the Foo Fighters, I gave him David Bowie and the Beatles. We’ve shared many others, as well.
James isn’t much interested in school, though he was placed in gifted and talented programs throughout his education. I guess this is how one rebels against a mom who is a schoolteacher. Regardless, he is a thinker, as well as a just and kind person. It’s always been his way to stick up for the underdog; in elementary school he was chosen to be a peer mediator. He’s the one who tries to find middle ground and help people get along with each other.
I don’t look forward to the day he moves out and our conversations become fewer and farther between. I enjoy his company immensely, and am so very proud of the young man he’s become.
Happy birthday, love.
Comments 9
Happy Birthday, James. You have a terrific mom, you know.
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 4:50 am ¶Wait a minute! How’d that happen so quickly? Happy Birthday James!!
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 5:44 am ¶Happy birthday, James!! What a sweet tribute. If only I could convince my mom to listen to some good, contemporary music…
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 6:15 am ¶Happy Birthday, James!
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 6:43 am ¶Happy birthday to Sweet Baby James - he may not be a baby in years, but he always will be in your heart. How wonderful to have such a great relationship.
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 8:21 am ¶Happy Birthday James!
What a sweet post.
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 1:11 pm ¶Happy Birthday James! Wishing you many more!
Posted 07 Mar 2008 at 3:37 pm ¶I think you will be able to maintain a very good adult relationship with James over the years… sounds like you are already off to a good start having a teenager who is comfortable discussing these things with you. Good job, mama!!
Posted 08 Mar 2008 at 10:51 am ¶He was tall even as a 5 year old!
What a sweet tribute. I’m glad you have such a good friendship.
Happy Birthday James!
Posted 08 Mar 2008 at 10:50 pm ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 2
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