Happy Birthday, Sweet Child of Mine!

 

My youngest kid, Scotty, is turning 29 tomorrow! My new tradition for birthdays is to write a blog post talking about my love and gratitude, and it's Scotty's turn!

I'm so grateful for the many memories and the close relationship I have with this amazing young man. 

10 Things I Love About You, Scotty

1. I love that you play Guitar Hero. Memoarrr, and countless other games with me! Even though you're much better than me at just about every game, it's always fun to play with you. Your playfulness goes beyond board games and includes, video games, Walking Scavenger Hunts, GISH, Pokeman, and just about any new idea I suggest, including "randonauting" last year.

Walking Hunt on Catalina Island

Dressing up as a Tea Bag and Teaspoon for GISH

Pokemon Hunting

2. I love that you are such a talented and creative game designer and puzzle-master yourself! Since you were a young child, you've had such a gift at creating challenging puzzles and games. It was so fun to go to the Escape Room Convention with you and to experience the escape rooms you've created!

3. Even though I suppose it's not very good "parenting" on my part, I love binge-watching Netflix shows with you.  It's also been fun to watch movies and build "brain neuroplasticity" by discussing them as if we're movie critics.  Watching all the movies that are up for Best Picture Awards has been especially interesting. Even though we are drawn to different genres, I enjoy the critical thinking discussion about each movie. It was especially fun that we both like "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" so much and that it won Best Picture this year!

4.  I love that we started running together when you were just a little kid and that we did so many races together over the years.  We had so many Bolder Boulders, Turkey Trots, Muddy Buddies, and other races, both where you ran your best, way ahead of me, and times when you coached me to do my best and finish strong.

5. I love all the road trips that we've been on together! We did a lot of exploring and excursions when you were a young kid, but things got more exciting once you could drive and could share in the driving fun! From the road trip to Mount Rushmore and getting caught in a torrential rainstorm when you were getting your hours in, to the Vegas trip to play Black Jack, to the Mardi Gras New Orleans trip, to the Christmas road trip to Florida, I love how flexible you are as a traveler and how we never run out of things to talk about.

6. I love how ambitious and accomplished you are. I'm so proud of all your achievements and successes both throughout your academic years and now in your career.

7.  I love that you are successful and independent and that I was able to be a guest in your Centreville home last Fall. I'm sure you will always be a playful kid-at-heart, but it's reassuring for me to see you become such a responsible young adult.

8. I love that you take the time to talk every weekend and make the effort to visit family as often as you can. Your visits are always so fun for me and it was a big surprise when you unexpectedly were in Denver for a work trip around Mother's Day this year!

9. I love how supportive you are with my different projects and causes. When you were young and didn't have a job, you'd still find a way to contribute and help and volunteer with me.  As an adult, you've been an avid Carpe Diem Day supporter.

10. I love how much wisdom and understanding you have.  I've been impressed with your ability to converse in a deep and thoughtful way since you were young. Over the years, I've seen you mature into an introspective adult and feel so grateful for our relationship and how easy it is to talk to you! I always respect and welcome your perspective on anything and everything!

Happy Birthday, Scotty! I love you!

Happy Birthday to You, Matt!

Today is my older son, Matt's, 36 birthday!  Lately, I've tried to give "gifts from the heart," either with poems, gratitude letters, or photos, reminding the people I love why they're special to me.   

This is as much of a gift to me (maybe more-so) as to them because I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have them in my life.

This is especially true when it comes to the people I love the most, like my children.  Even though a blog post is public, it's nice for me to be able to tell the world (and my huge fan base!) what I love about Matt. 

10 Things I Love About You, Matt

Matt's First Camping Trip and First Time Sleeping Through the Night

1. I love your oneness with nature and the outdoors. Your first time sleeping through the night was your first camping trip to Hannagan Meadow when you were 3 months old. It’s only fitting that your birthday falls so close to Earth Day and on National Parks Week
2. I love what a deep and critical thinker you are. From a very early age you were quietly reflective, pondering multiple perspectives on philosophy and religion. You are not one to follow the crowd, but rather make your own well-informed decisions.
3. I love your authenticity. You are very comfortable voicing your opinions, while not judging others if their opinions differ. You are open-minded and welcome debate and discussion, without taking disagreement personally.
4. I love your playful side. I see this when you’re running on the beach with Mochi, playing a game, humoring me with a photo-prop picture, or searching for the scavenger hunt item with me at a museum.
5. I love your commitment to your marriage and family. You love and take care of Mochi and Choco as honored family members, happily welcome visits and (long!) stays at your home from me and others, and always show your love and commitment to Stella.
6. I love that you help me in such a thoughtful way when I need advice. You take the time to write insightful emails with resources and compassion. In particular, I remember the help you gave when I asked how I might help a friend who was worried about his suicidal teen.
7. I love to know that you help others who are struggling with depression or suicidal tendencies. I’m proud to know that you’re making such a difference in the field of mental health.  You undoubtedly have not only improved lives, but saved lives and are continually making this world a better place.
8. I love that you teach yourself new home improvement skills.. whether welding and designing your own multi-purpose livable vehicles, laying a new floor, or installing a new electrical system, you embrace the challenge.
9. I love your ruggedness and strength in tackling physical challenges, too, whether it be mountain-climbing, canyoneering, or mountain-biking. I’m glad Stella is joining you on adventures. Yay Pikes Peak 2023!
10. I love all the ways you’ve helped me over the years, especially since my divorce. I’ll always remember that first year of being single, when I was freaking out because I thought there was a fire in the house behind us. You were the voice of reason that told me it was just a bright light. You helped me drive home from Las Vegas in the snow, supported me through challenging times, and listened with understanding when I’ve had problems.

Some of my favorite pictures

Poem for Matt

 

A son of the mountains and valleys,

Of forests and streams,

He loves the great outdoors,

Crossing brooks on stripped trees.

A man of great intellect,

A deep thinker, and one

Who loves to challenge himself,

Learning more with each pun.

A psychologist by trade,

He helps others to heal,

To find their way back,

Using his emotional wheel.

A son, a brother, a husband,

A man of great heart,

He is loved by all who know him,

So it says in his chart.