23 March 2015

Happy 17th Birthday!


How can one so small impress so much?

Little did I know 17 years ago - today - that I would be so enthralled by one person as I have been with you. And I hope you know how much you mean to me.

I can recall this picture vividly.

You were fussy. Crying. We were not sure why nor how to get you to stop. And then I started singing to you. I can even recall the exact tune.

"Tell me why the stars do shine....Tell me why the ivy twines...Tell me why the sky's so blue...and I will tell you just why I love you...Because God made the stars to shine...Because God made the ivy twine...Because God made the sky so blue...Because God made you, that's why I love you."

It must have worked because you stopped crying long enough to gaze up at me in wonder. (I don't know, but this might be the first and last time you actually looked at me ;-) I am so glad your dad thought to grab the camera, because this is one of my very favorite pictures of the two of us. And it sums up to me what being a mother is all about.

I can't believe how quickly the years have flown by. This picture is so vivid to me, I can recall all the details of the moment - can it really be 17 years ago? Yet just this past week we spent time looking at potential colleges and I realized how fleeting the moments are that we have remaining before you fly off on your own.

You have grown into an incredibly handsome, smart, strong, talented and decent young man. Your father and I admire what you have done with the gifts and talents you were given and celebrate everything you bring to our lives every day.

Happy 17th birthday, Calvin! You are ready to soar!

Love,
Mom

6 comments:

Alice said...

A beautiful photo. They do grow up so fast.

mairedodd said...

this is beautiful. and as i am just ahead of you - when you feel your heart just might shatter into a million pieces, reach out - there is a net that catches us too! xo

koko said...

That brought tears to my eyes! What a lovely post and beautiful photo! I sang the very same song to my baby boy when he didn't sleep, how funny is that? My voice didn't have the same effect though ��tThank you for sharing xxoo

Anonymous said...

Awww, Erin, that is beautiful! What a joy and how fast they grow!

Lynn said...

Love that photo---time goes by so quickly so hold onto your hat!

AntiquityTravelers said...

what a beautiful post Erin! My favorite picture of my oldest is my facebook profile. It caught Kate and me smiling and talking together at a wedding of a friend. She was just 3 then. She's 16 now - nearly 17. Going into her Senior year and we're talking about colleges. I know you know that ache in the heart to think how little time I have left with her here each day.

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