I remember 21 years ago. I remember how Mark's birth did really great things for our family. I remember it brought us some well-deserved happiness. I'll never forget Grandpa's husky voice on the phone in the kitchen, in the middle of the night saying, "You had a boy??!!" That's how I found out he'd been born.
I remember his first birthday. His gorgeous hair and beautiful eyes. I remember his second birthday, on the farm at Evie's, in his overalls, feeding his baby lamb a "bottle of juice."
I remember the birthdays that we celebrated on a different day because Mom and Dad went on vacation! That's true.
I remember his first day of school. I cried as he got on the bus.
I remember his school programs. And attending as his special guest on Grandparents Day.
I remember the birthday parties with his little friends. The Cale story is still being told.
I remember teenage mutant turtles, the Cowboys and BB guns. I remember his love of all animals, especially his collie dog and kittens. And later his labs. I remember Matt throwing him up in the air before leaving to go back to college.
I remember watching him playing basketball, and the pride I felt every time he scored. I remember racing to the hospital during a football game, feeling so scared.
I remember the first time I rode in the combine with him when he drove. And I remember him letting me drive, because Dad never would.
I remember when he turned 16. And buying cigs on his 18th birthday. And the red, white and blue birthday party.
And now his 21st.
Each year is such a blessing to have him. And this little boy couldn't be any more loved - 21 years ago or today.
I'm so proud of the man he's become. He's kind and genuine. He's intelligent and witty. He's adventurous and fun. He'll be a fantastic father, because he treats his nephew and nieces with so much love and tenderness.
So Mark, we celebrated your 21st birthday, not because you can buy beer :), but because your very being brings us so much happiness. You always have. You always will.
We love you like no other.
What we rushed over for was the phone call that said the semi was stuck. We don't like to miss out on events like that. But we did. By the time we got over there, the semi was back on solid ground and the bin was getting emptied. The whole crew was up checking it out. Crappy part is that the battery on my camera died, so I didn't get one of the twins.
