Happy Birthday Cody!

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