Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Happy Birthday Parker!


If I typed everything that is in my heart tonight, this would be a book and not a blog. Maybe this is just for Parker to read in later years, maybe it will bless someone in the blog world, but my heart is so full tonight that I have to write.
Dear Parker,
"You are the best thing that ever happened to me"!
That's something I have told you everyday of your life.
Ten years ago tonight, I had no idea how our lives were about to change the next day. Being a Grammy was something I had always looked forward to, but I never dreamed I would get a Parker!
Just the memory of those first days bring me to tears.
The moment you were born, I remember looking in your Mom's eyes and saying "thank you" !
I remember the first time you looked at your teenage Mom and it was love at first sight.
I remember the moment I held you for the first time.
I remember that first night we had you at home when we thought one of us needed to stand over your crib and watch you all night. (Just to be safe)
I remember your dedication! It was one of the most beautiful services I have ever been in. Pastor Denny not only prayed over you, he made you the sermon. Then DeAnza, our pastors wife and close friend, not only sang after Denny prayed for you, she held you throughout the entire song as she walked across the stage singing "He's Been Faithful"! That old Brooklyn Tabernacle song never sounded so beautiful. There was not a dry eye in the house and it was a BIG house (church)!
When they called for the family to come to the platform, not only family came but all your friends.
No three month old ever had more friends...I can still see the picture of over 60 people crowding the stage and gathering around one little baby and praying. You were so loved by so many. Your great grandparents were on the platform and one of my favorite pictures is of them holding you.
You have such a strong name. Parker Benjamin Powell..a name that represents three strong men, your two great grandfathers and your grandfather. I remember holding you and watching Good Morning America when 9/11 happened. I knew then that you would grow up in a different America than I had.
I remember every fun birthday party you have had...How can it be number 10? Wow we have crammed a lot in the last 10 years.
You gave a new meaning to grandparent trips. You began going to market with us by the time you were two and have always had a Junior Buyers tag. You have always loved a good hotel.
We have seen the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, spent time at the beach, spent summers in Santa Fe. We have visited Mickey more times than I can count...you always remind me how many times . You have traveled so many places with Pop. You have met professional athletes, spent a little time with Shaq, and you have traveled to more states in ten years than I have in my 50 plus years. What memories we have made.
Pop has the privilege of taking you to breakfast every morning and then to school. He treasures those times...and then you come home to our house in the afternoon.
No words are sweeter, than your favorite line..."Grammy, your boy is home" ! I am always glad that you are...
Watching you grow up has been so much fun. You are fun, kind, caring and everything a Grammy could want. Now you are a Big Brother and you are excellent at that job...That always makes me smile. Jack adores you.
Happy Birthday Parker....I love you more than you can ever know,
Grammy
Please continue to pray for Maggie and grab her button...

40 comments:

Susan said...

Wow! What a beautiful letter to your grand son. My first grand child is also a boy, Jaren and he too is 10. My heart delites in him. There is just something about your first grand child I think. I have 5 and all are truly loved and a real blessing. Thanks for stopping by my blog

Eclectic Chic Style said...

What a great post, and a handsome young man, that Parker!!! Happy Birthday to him!!!
♥ Teresa

Faye said...

This was beautiful! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER! Hope you all have a great day! Blessings Faye

Jo Whitehurst said...

No legacy is more important than the legacy of love that you are building for Parker. He is truly blessed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PARKER!

Love Being A Nonny said...

This post makes my heart smile. It is SO how I feel about my E.C. Truly a Nonny's/Grammy's heart! Happy birthday to Grammy's boy!!

Bacardi Mama said...

You can feel the love and pride in this post. Parker is very lucky to have you for his grandma. Happy Birthday Parker!!

koreen (aka: winn) said...

Happy Birthday, Parker. :)
May you feel the enormous love of your family (especially your grammy) all your life!

Sheryl said...

i know you talk about how blessed you are to have Parker in your life - but he is one blessed boy to have YOU!! what a fabulous post.

Laurie in Ca. said...

This is such a beautiful letter to your Parker Teresa. What a blessing to have this little guy in your life for 10 years. Happy Birthday Parker. My first grandson just turned 4 and shares Parker's birthday. We have special boys who bless our hearts to pieces. I hope he had a wonderful day. I am praying for sweet Maggie too.

Love and Hugs, Laurie

Susie said...

Happy Birthday to Parker. What a wonderful and sweet letter to him.

Anonymous said...

That was a beautiful letter-brought tears to my eyes. I can relate to being with my grandparents so much because my mom was also a teenage mom. The wonderful memories!

Happy Birthday Parker! Enjoy your day!

Gram said...

What a wonderful tribute to your grandson. I could never have imagined how much one could love a grandchild until I had one of my own.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I got choked up reading your lovely letter...tears well up. And I am so happy for you and your family! You are blessed indeed. ~Janine XO

Samantha said...

What a precious grandson and such a touching letter to him, it brought tears to my eyes, you are blessed to have him and he is blessed to have such a sweet grammy ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER !!

Leigh Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leigh Anne said...

Happy Birthday Parker!! Have a great day.

Beautiful tribute!

monica said...

Happy Birthday Parker! What a beautiful Tribute!

Christi Johnson said...

Oh, Ms.Teresa, I am sobbing as I am reading your note to Parker. Amanda and I are so blessed to have such wonderful moms in our children's lives. You are so wonderful and caring, and Parker is so lucky to have you. Happy Big 1-0 Birthday Parker!
~Christi~

Just a little something from Judy said...

It is my great privilege to wish your handsome son Parker, a very happy birthday! He is so blessed to be part of your family. He will never forget the way you made him feel so special. Very interesting post!!

Joy said...

No doubt about it...that is one loved boy.

Joy

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Parker!

Tammy said...

Teresa,

You are a gift to this world. I wish more people had the kind of Love that you have. I wish every child had a grandparent like you. You get what this life is all about and I am blessed to call you my friend.

Thanks so much for sharing this ~ it is such a bright spot. This has been a difficult week, there are so many around me who are hurting and going through trials. Life can be so difficult sometimes and we have to cherish every moment. You are great at that:)

Love, Tammy E.

Bacardi Mama said...

Stop over at my blog. I left you a surprise.

Lilly, Reid, Matt, and Sara said...

How sweet! Happy Birthday Parker....I love the name "Parker". In fact, it is what I would like to name our boy-to-be, but hubby says no. ): We are between Benjamin and Blake. Anywho, it sounds like Parker has done soooo much fun stuff in the past 10 years...may he do just as much or more in the next 10!

grammy said...

That is a wonderful post and i can tell how special he is to you. Thanks for sharing that letter.

Mandy Rose said...

That is the sweetest letter ever!!! How cute!! My son's name is Parker (and my name is Mandy-real name Amanda) so I feel like I already have a connection to your family. :)

christy rose said...

Teresa,
OOps, I missed the deadline!

That is ok! I really just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog the other day. I had to come by and meet you.

Happy Birthday to Parker one day too late! Your letter was the sweetest thing ever. I plan to come back frequently to get to know you more.

Christy

Grace said...

Hi Teresa, it is so nice to be here again. This is such wonderful post. I just love reading it.
God bless you heart.

Mimi's Toes said...

Happy Birthday Parker! Wow Grammy, this is such a tear jerker. I can feel your love, pride and excitement to have such a precious gift in Parker. I know the feeling because I have 6 precious grandchildren. There is nothing more exciting than being a grandma. This letter to Parker is just priceless. I am so glad I met you.

wife.mom.nurse said...

Just LOVELY!~

That boy is blessed to have you as his Grammy!

~Julie

Susan said...

Oh, how touching!!!!

Thanks for stopping by the other day, so nice to meet you!

Parker sounds like one incredible young man!

Blessings♥

Unknown said...

What a wonderful keepsake for Parker. He will treasure it so much in years to come!

My husband and I were just talking about how we hope to take our grandkids to Disney one day!!!

Thanks for letting me know about your blog. It's great!

Emily said...

totally made me teary that is so so sweet.

Gayla said...

What a beautiful letter to Parker. I loved reading it, and I know he will always cherish those times with you... Making memories is simply priceless. I teach high school, and kids NEVER get too old or too "cool" to have great memories of their grandparents! Hugs..

Tracy said...

Don't they grow up way tooo fast!?!

....thanks for visiting my blog...things around the blog have been a little slow (trying to finish the school year out ;o})
Hope you stop by again....

Nancy said...

Teresa - I truly understand. My son was a single dad and my grandson, now 14 is the joy of my life. We lived together for 10 years and it's one of the most rewarding relationships of my life! Glad you stopped by my blog. xoxo Nancy

Renee said...

Teresa this tribute to Parkeris beautiful.

Happy Birthday Parker

Renee xoxo

Annette W. said...

Goodness, he is a blessing to you. It sounds like you have a very special relationship! Very sweet!

Lindsey @ A New Life said...

What a moving letter to your grandson!! He will treasure this and the legacy you leave him forever!

Blessings,
Lindsey

Anonymous said...

wow what a touching post thanks for sharing it