ALL I EVER WANTED TO BE

Dear Greg,

At just about this time, late on a Monday afternoon, 30 something years ago, you made me all I ever really wanted to be

A MOM

What can I say without embarrassing you.... You were the first EVERYTHING. You were the first grandchild, the first boy in a long time.

Meme and Gramps really loved you. I had NEVER seen Daddy show any physical affection EVER until you were born. You melted his heart and I think that continued through the rest of his life. You speaking at both their funerals was only fitting and made this MOM so proud.

THIS past year I got to see you be all that you have EVER really wanted to be...A DAD! So many emotions, as I saw you meet your BOY, which was a long awaited dream come true for you. It was a day of joy and then it quickly became a day of fear. I saw your lips quiver and your eyes fill with tears as you told me they were transferring Grayson to another hospital because they had a state of the art NICU. I met the ambulance, as you made your way across town, hating to leave Dana, but knowing you had to be with your new little man. I remember a scared Daddy asking the NICU doctor details about his little ones situation. And forever I will remember our walk out to the car after midnight that night and you putting your arm around me and telling me you had listed Denny and Johnny as your pastors, in case they needed to call one. That said it all to me...you feared you might loose your baby. Thank God that did not happen and today Grayson is perfect, after just a bump in the road. And I know that you know, God answers prayer. But this Mother's heart hurt like never before for you that night.

For 10 years I had watched you be the worlds greatest UNCLE, AKA UNC to Parker. I always laughed when Parker would call your work and ask for UNC! And even funnier, the receptionist knew who he was talking about. When Amanda was a young teenage Mom, you made your Mom more than proud. You made stepping up to the plate more than words. You filled in EVERY blank, every time. What great male role models Parker has and still has. I will always remember your unbelievable generosity to Amanda. If she had a need, you met it and did it with joy. The time you invested in Amanda and Parker, never went unnoticed.

Then you became a step dad to Austin, though no one would ever know that he was not your biological child. Again you filled in the blanks in his life and fell madly in love with him. You are every little boy's dream.

Making their lives fun is your top priority. If there is any gaming device or game that Austin and Parker don't have, its because it has not been released yet. If there is a movie that's out, they have seen it. To those boys YOU ARE THE BOMB.

And now this year in your life, Grayson arrives. He is a lucky boy to have you as his Dad...and equally lucky to have his sweet and beautiful Mom. You really won the lottery when Dana entered your life.

You are more like Dad everyday and that's a GOOD THING. You are less like me and that's a good thing, though our sense of humor is a lot alike.

Happy Birthday to one of the BEST GIFTS WE ever received. Dad and I are SO PROUD OF YOU.

I love you, Mom

SOME SNAPSHOTS THAT MAKE MY HEART SMILE