We celebrated my son's soon-to-be thirtieth birthday last night with a terrific dinner including seven-layer dip, homemade salsa, chips, fish tacos, cilantro-lime-rice, carrot cake, ice cream, and mojitos. The chance to simply spend several hours with my son, his fiance, and their lively pup was a real treat on a beautiful, early spring evening--an evening warm enough to sit outdoors for a while.
I can't believe it has been three decades since my first child was born. I remember his birth well. I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital the day before he was born due to what turned out to be a minor complication, but a complication that signaled an early arrival for my son the next day. He lumbered out of the womb, a whopping almost-ten-pound baby boy. I was overjoyed, but also quite disorientated after the lengthy birth process. Fortunately I was surrounded by my loving husband and many terrific medical professionals who helped me begin my journey as a mom.
We lived in a small upstairs apartment in a two-family house at the time. My son's first room was a closet-like room off the living room that we decorated nicely. His first outing was a trip to the 1991 Boston Marathon and after that, the Watertown Memorial Day parade. It wasn't long before he also experienced his first camping trip, beach vacation, and many big-family holiday parties and summer picnics. The years rolled on with the move to the home we still live in, the addition of two more sons, many outdoor adventures and family gatherings, lots of school and sports events, travel, his many nature/plant-related jobs, and now, his soon-to-be wedding. I am so grateful for all of this.
The best part of the celebration last night was seeing my joyful son and his fiance as well as listening to stories of their current plans and adventures. Truly a moment to cherish, and one I hope to recreate in the days ahead especially now that more of us are getting vaccinated and the grave fears of the pandemic are beginning to subside. Onward.