Happy 15th Birthday Son!

Wishing my son a very happy 15th birthday, hope he enjoyed his day despite having to get up bright and early for freshman orientation. It seems there is something with the school going on almost every year on his birthday. At least this way he got to see all his friends, which always makes a birthday that much more fun.

I can't believe he's a freshman in high school already, he's growing up so fast! I remember holding him as a baby, and when he first started walking and talking, and his first day of school, like it was just yesterday. His school photos came the other day and he is looking so mature and handsome....and more and more like me at his age. It's so cool how both my kids look just like me - my son looks like me at his age and my daughter looks like me now. Guess that's genetics for ya :)

I'm so proud of what a bright and talented young man he is becoming. He gets great grades, always on the honor or high honor roll, just like me. That will be a big help in getting college scholarships in a few years. I wonder what he's interested in studying, or if he's even given it any thought. At his age I don't think I had any idea. It took a few more years. But the grades are very important if you want to have choices, not only in school, but in life too....so keep it up son, you're doing great! He looks strong, like he works out. I'm sure football keeps him in shape and hopefully he is doing some other physical activity in the off season, maybe wrestling or something. I'm sure he's well into football practice for the upcoming season and playing freshman ball at the school. Would love to catch a game, all I need is an invitation...hint hint.

Eventhough I haven't talked to my son in over 4 years now, I of course still love him so very much (and always will), think about him each and every day (can't help it, his pictures are all over my office and house) and remember what it was like to be his age without a relationship with my dad. I understand what he is going through, although I'm sure he doesn't think I do. No kid thinks their parents understand or know anything :) I wish he wanted me around and in his life. Maybe he does but he just can't say it or show it. All he has to do is speak up, tell a trusted adult, call me and talk, invite me to a game, take me up on my offer to take him to lunch or golfing, or hunting....no pressure, no questions if he doesn't want to go there, he can even bring a friend if he wants. It's up to him, I hope he knows that. There is nothing preventing him from making the next move, except the fog of course.

On a lighter note, I saw my aunts, uncles and cousins in Naples yesterday. We all got together and had a boys day of golf at the course down there where my uncle and cousin work. It was so much fun and I remember being there with my son many years ago. In fact, my aunt dug up a note my son sent her after spending the night at her house back in 2005 and brought it to the party. It made me laugh, his little boy handwriting. He and my daughter always had such a good time there with all the cousins, playing in the creek and riding four wheelers, and being doted on by my aunt & uncle. I thought I'd share the note here so you all can enjoy it too. The Naples crew sends their love and birthday wishes.

I would also like to thank all my family and friends who helped make my son's birthday special for me too today. So many wonderful people called with their love, support and encouragement. It's a reminder of just how fortunate I really am to be surrounded by such loving, special people who truly care about me and my kids. It's too bad my kids are missing out on these kinds of positive, affirming relationships in their life. I know from experience that their world is not like that. My neighbors also stopped over with their sons, both my son's age and we did a little shooting in the backyard this afternoon. Hunting season is coming up and we're all gearing up and helping the boys practice with their bows. I can't wait to get out and spend some time in the woods near my house. Maybe someday my son will want to come along. I know they would all get along great. The older one is a lot like my son, very into his sports (lacrosse) and a good student.

Hope he received and enjoyed his gifts this year. It gets harder and harder not knowing what he's into and what specifically he likes. There are a couple good movies out, the Dark Knight movie and the Bourne Legacy look good, so I thought he'd enjoy passes to go with a friend (since he won't let me take him...ha ha). I also got him team necklaces for the Mets and the Giants. Have you seen those colored rope necklaces all the baseball players are wearing this year? Those. They look pretty cool. I hope he'll wear them. Sent him a couple nice shirts for school and a football movie that we watched together years ago. If you've never seen Facing the Giants you have to see it, it's a great movie. We both love football movies and that's one you can watch with your kids and feel good about it.

Enjoy the rest of your birthday son ~ I love and miss you very much and will always always be here for you. I will never, ever, give up on us. My door will always be open, stop by or call any time. Love you Bucko...and no, you're not too old for that! :)

Where did July go?

Wow, summer is flying by. July was a whirlwind of visits and family time. My dad and step mom started the month with an 8-day visit from Florida in early July. They stayed with me at my house, in the extra bedrooms I have saved for my kids someday. We stayed up late over chatty dinners, had good times over lazy morning breakfasts, and had a big family BBQ on the weekend. My dad even made me some very yummy zucchini muffins. He's a really good cook, must be where I get it from. My niece from Nova Scotia came in a few weeks before the rest of my sister's family so she got to come to the BBQ and visit with her grandparents. Afterwards we all played cards and my niece and step mom kicked my butt.

My niece has grown so much over the last year. She's become more outspoken and outgoing and a little less shy and reserved. She has a few little jobs to help save up money for college, plays soccer and still loves her horses. She's also become quite the photographer, capturing some really great people and scenery shots from her family travels over the last year. And she now has her driver's license and my dad even let her drive up the street to the store. He says she's a good driver. On top of all that, she's super smart, loves science class, and is looking more and more like my pretty sister every day. I'm so proud of her and glad we got to spend some extra time with her.

A week later my sister arrived from Nova Scotia with my other niece who had a soccer tournament that kept her busy sooner. Check her out, that's her flying through the air, the girl belongs in the Olympics. She's all of 5 foot something, not an ounce of fat on her, she packs a mean punch (believe me I know) and can kick a soccer ball or jump for a volley ball like it's nobody's business. My other niece took this photograph and you should see some of her other shots. Some serious talent between those two.

We took our annual trip to see Gramma in Ohio. Gramma is 92 and thinks she's 72. Still getting around just fine despite a nasty fall this spring where she broke her leg. She's got pins and rods and is practically bionic now, or at least she thinks she is. Still sharp as a tack, remembers the last thing we talked about a year ago and asked after my kids like she saw them just yesterday. I filled her in on their grades and activities, she sends her love. We hung out there for two days, watched a lot of Olympics, including the very bizarre opening ceremony, cycling, volleyball, track and swimming. Gotta admire the level of training and hard work those athletes put in.

Didn't get to see the cousins from Kentucky this time, but did see the cousins from nearby in Ohio and spend some time catching up with everyone. The kids are all getting taller and smarter and send hugs to my kids. Gramma still has her doggie friends, one of them, the bigger one, helped save her life when she fell this spring. The other is another stray that keeps hanging around and Gramma keeps feeding. Here's another great shot my niece took of the pups. Sure wish I could take them home with me, but I think Gramma needs them more than I do. There are a few more funny pictures from the Ohio trip posted on my facebook page.

After we got back to Rochester, my sister, brother-in-law and nieces came over for a BBQ. We picked all the veggies for dinner out of my garden, including sweet corn which was ready already, super early considering I planted in early May this year because of the mild winter. We had organic steak from the 1/4 cow I bought from a farmer in Naples. It was delightful. Afterwards we sat around the bon fire pit in my yard and told stories. Like the times at the cabin when we used to sit around the fire and throw stones in the woods so the kids would get scared and think there were things in the woods. Those stories evolved into tales of Peter Pan and bed pillow notes, it was a lot of fun!

Next thing I know, it's August and I'm a canning, freezing, garden preserving fool. The garden is in full bloom and I'm bringing veggie creations and gifts with me everywhere I go, including cottage parties on Conesus Lake with friends of mine including my god-daughter who just turned 17 yesterday. Holy cow, these kids are getting old, ha ha. I call her, and her sister, my nieces because our families are very close. My god-daughter is in the National Junior Honor Society and just came back from a week at a private and exclusive med-school camp in Boston and has returned a very different girl. Quite a bit more mature and looking forward to the next phases of her life in college and beyond. She has such a bright future ahead of her and I'm really excited for her. Her sister is no slouch either, a talented clarinet player who has been playing at Hochstein. Hard to fathom that I'm surrounded by such talented and gifted nieces with a world of possibilities ahead of them.

And now it's mid August, football season is approaching and I'm thinking about my son who will turn 15 later this month. He's such a smart boy, on the high honor roll and taking good care of himself, mind and body. You should see him, looks like he works out, he's got strong broad shoulders and biceps and calves that I envy. Ah, such is youth. I have to work so hard for mine, he probably does it effortlessly.

Here's a photo of the last birthday party that he and I shared together. It was a really special day that I will always remember. I hope he has a great birthday this year with his mom and her family and probably a few friends as well. I would love to take him out for lunch or a movie or golfing or anything really, for his birthday. We could have a nice little BBQ and bon fire and invite his family and friends he hasn't seen in almost 5 years now. It would be a lot of fun. All you have to do is call son, and I'll be there to make it happen. In the mean time, enjoy the rest of your summer and get yourself ready for the best football season ever. Would love to see him play, he's really good....fast, knows the game in his sleep, and most importantly he's a Giants fan just like me! Season opener coming up...Giants and Cowboys, let's watch it together son!