This past Wednesday was Cody's 17th birthday and I had absolutely no idea what to get a kid that has everything.
The usual things came to mind but none of them seemed special or personal enough so I figured I'd put some of my creativity to work.
In addition to providing pizza for him and some of his closet friends at school during his lunch wave, I purchased a cookie cake for our family but something was still missing. How could I make this extra special?
So, I asked our cartoonist (who's a close friend) to sketch a drawing of Cody rebounding the basketball in his school uniform. I also wrote my first born son a letter of important events which took place on February 4th.
Below is my letter to him and his response.
Please keep in mind, his response was handwritten and it will forever be etched in my heart. The first time I read it I cried. I've read it hundreds of time since then and it always warms my soul.
He has always been such a thoughtful and appreciative child. Even as a little boy he was always so thankful.
He use to say "my mom's the most beautiful woman in the world" and would argue anyone down that teased him about it. My mother still teases him about that, of course he doesn't remember saying it and shyly laughs it off.
Nowadays he's constantly taking pictures of and alongside me with his various cameras which signifies in his own unspoken way he still believes I'm kinda cute. That's what's up!
This is not to say my other children are ungrateful because that's definitely not the case. As with all children, they're simply different and express themselves in different ways.
I realized on his birthday that all we really want for our children is to be happy, healthy and productive citizens. It's the thank you note from Cody that gives me confirmation he's on the right road. I pray he continues his current course.
Enjoy!
Cody:
I racked my brains wondering what I could get you for your 17th birthday, which is today. Cologne, clothes, money, dinner and shoes are a few of the things that came to mind but I decided they weren't good enough.
Yes, I did the pizzas at your school for lunch. I wanted your friends to join in our family's celebration. I also did the cookie cake with Megan and Nicholas singing Happy Birthday, that was from your siblings - please save your REAL sister a slice. However, I wanted something extra special from me.
Therefore I decided to let you know, in addition to your birth, some of the other wonderful things that happened in 1992 and during various years on February 4th in open letter form.
Dear Son:
Did you know, on February 4, 1789 George Washington unanimously was elected the first President of the United States by the United States Electoral College? I had no idea either! How did that slip past both of us? I guess I should have really paid more attention in history class.
Now this was the real brain teaser, who led a coup d"etat against Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez on February 4, 1992, which was the actual day and year you were born? Huh? Huh? Stumped you didn't I???
Honestly who really cares? With the exception of Wikipedia and the Venezuelan president, regular people could care less. Just for future reference (and that Jeopardy appearance) it was Hugo Chavez Frais!
Now this next little tidbit is some need to know information for all of the tech heads like us...or rather like you. On February 4, 2004, Facebook was founded. Wow, that's awesome! What exactly is Facebook?
Next, talk about going full circle, on the day you were born George Bush Sr. was president of the United States of America and we just got rid of George Bush Jr. Thank God, Bill Clinton defeated him in November of 1992 to claim the presidency. Stay out of the Bushes America!
In the sports world, the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl with a 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bulls claimed the NBA Championship over the Portland Trailblazers.
Now to my main thang....dancing!!!! Some of the top songs of the year were: Michael Jackson's Black or White and Remember the Time (and he still doesn't remember the time he was black and has no clue to this day if he's black or white...WTF?); Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You (Bobby!!!!); Jodeci's Come and Talk to Me (No thank you. KC makes my stomach hurt looking like a troll) and Mary J. Blige's Real Love (which something she didn't find until approximately 15 years later. That's the 411 Mary!!!)
Last but not least. You, my first born son, share a birthday with civil rights activist Rosa Parks who was born February 4, 1913. Ain't it a trip, when black kids get on the bus now they head straight for the back?
Well, this concludes my open birthday letter to you. I hope you've enjoyed it.
I love you and Happy Birthday!
Mom!!!
HIS RESPONSE:
Dang. I don't even know where exactly to start or how to thank you for making this my favorite birthday- hands down! I don't think I've ever, ever cried on my birthday before....but that note was hilarious and so original; I love you to death mom always know that!!!! I could never have expected such a wonderful gift!
I LOVE IT, it came straight from the heart. :-)
Excuse the misspelled words and tear drops, I can't see too well past them.
Love,
Cody Mac
02.05.09
Friday, February 6, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Who Are These People?
This past weekend my parents along with my boys and I drove to Thomasville, Georgia for my brother’s final basketball game of the regular season.
My youngest brother is a middle school basketball coach there and we all try to make at least one basketball game/tournament per season.
So in typical fashion, the day started out hectic Friday morning, or rather, my day started out that way.
Dropped Nicholas off at school, headed into the office and returned home around 3 p.m. So far, so good right?
Because we were going out of town and Cody had a basketball game out of town, he drove his car home and I dropped him back off at the school. I dropped him off AFTER taking him to Sonic’s for some monster burger full of calories and a quick eyebrow wax at my favorite nail shop.
I returned home did a phone interview, played phone tag with my editor and eventually finished working for the day around 5:30.
My parents arrived thirty minutes later and if was off and continuing to run.
Stopped by Mickey Dee’s, drove about 45 minutes to Cody’s ballgame and cheered like crazy and flirted with a state trooper. I couldn’t help it, he looked and sounded like Vin Diesel. Seriously!!!
After the game, headed for gas and Cody some McDonald’s before making the trek to Georgia.
Mind you this particular city in Georgia is 40 minutes outside Tallahassee, which is easily a four hour drive for most (three for me).
My mother and I have made the ride before, several times and each time the conversation flowed easily but I was a little nervous about throwing my father into the mix.
To be honest, I thought he might fall asleep which would allow my mom and I a chance to get our gossip on. We were looking at a 2 a.m. arrival at the earliest, hell I wanted a nap.
But he survived like a trooper, they both did. More importantly, we ALL gossiped!
I was like WTF?!! I’m am gossiping with my parents AND enjoying it! We were even laughing!
"When did this happen?" "When did they get a sense of humor?"
We discussed everything from the election (come on folks you know Obama-mania is still alive), the birth of the California octuplets, the Super Bowl, Cody’s game and the Young and the Restless.
That was, in a word, cool.
Remember when your parents weren’t human? They were these beings that didn’t understand anything.
Not your fashion style, hairstyle, music, your friends. Not anything!
You thought:
"Of course the "members only" jacket is hot! Are you kidding?"
"What do you mean, you don’t understand the shag haircut?"
"Prince is a musical genius and turning rain purple is very possible, thank you!"
"Why can’t I date him just because he already has two kids and is a high school junior?"
You thought, who are these people and who are they to tell me what to do...and mean it!!
Looking back over this weekend’s drive, I realized those people are ME!
OMG! I’m old!!! LMAO!!!
I’m doing the same thing with my kids, only I’d like to think I’m much cooler.
Although my kids would probably disagree!
Thank goodness they hang with a great group of kids, they're all pretty healthy (at least right now they are), decent students and none of the over-the-top teenage theatrics have taken place.
However, if my three kids turn out as successful, healthy, happy and close knit as my parent’s trio, they will be some blessed youngins!
My youngest brother is a middle school basketball coach there and we all try to make at least one basketball game/tournament per season.
So in typical fashion, the day started out hectic Friday morning, or rather, my day started out that way.
Dropped Nicholas off at school, headed into the office and returned home around 3 p.m. So far, so good right?
Because we were going out of town and Cody had a basketball game out of town, he drove his car home and I dropped him back off at the school. I dropped him off AFTER taking him to Sonic’s for some monster burger full of calories and a quick eyebrow wax at my favorite nail shop.
I returned home did a phone interview, played phone tag with my editor and eventually finished working for the day around 5:30.
My parents arrived thirty minutes later and if was off and continuing to run.
Stopped by Mickey Dee’s, drove about 45 minutes to Cody’s ballgame and cheered like crazy and flirted with a state trooper. I couldn’t help it, he looked and sounded like Vin Diesel. Seriously!!!
After the game, headed for gas and Cody some McDonald’s before making the trek to Georgia.
Mind you this particular city in Georgia is 40 minutes outside Tallahassee, which is easily a four hour drive for most (three for me).
My mother and I have made the ride before, several times and each time the conversation flowed easily but I was a little nervous about throwing my father into the mix.
To be honest, I thought he might fall asleep which would allow my mom and I a chance to get our gossip on. We were looking at a 2 a.m. arrival at the earliest, hell I wanted a nap.
But he survived like a trooper, they both did. More importantly, we ALL gossiped!
I was like WTF?!! I’m am gossiping with my parents AND enjoying it! We were even laughing!
"When did this happen?" "When did they get a sense of humor?"
We discussed everything from the election (come on folks you know Obama-mania is still alive), the birth of the California octuplets, the Super Bowl, Cody’s game and the Young and the Restless.
That was, in a word, cool.
Remember when your parents weren’t human? They were these beings that didn’t understand anything.
Not your fashion style, hairstyle, music, your friends. Not anything!
You thought:
"Of course the "members only" jacket is hot! Are you kidding?"
"What do you mean, you don’t understand the shag haircut?"
"Prince is a musical genius and turning rain purple is very possible, thank you!"
"Why can’t I date him just because he already has two kids and is a high school junior?"
You thought, who are these people and who are they to tell me what to do...and mean it!!
Looking back over this weekend’s drive, I realized those people are ME!
OMG! I’m old!!! LMAO!!!
I’m doing the same thing with my kids, only I’d like to think I’m much cooler.
Although my kids would probably disagree!
Thank goodness they hang with a great group of kids, they're all pretty healthy (at least right now they are), decent students and none of the over-the-top teenage theatrics have taken place.
However, if my three kids turn out as successful, healthy, happy and close knit as my parent’s trio, they will be some blessed youngins!
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