To My Son, Chad

Happy Birthday, Chad!

Today you are 34 years old. That makes your mom feel sorta old. I still feel 34 myself, except for my aching knee. Here is a walk down memory lane during the first years of your life.

In 1975, Dad & I lived in Alabaster, AL. You were born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham. You were due on Mother's Day, but when you were a week overdue, I was induced on Monday, 5-19-75. Of course, our family back in Georgia knew that a baby was coming (no ultrasounds in those days so we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl). Pappy (the big, bad Sheriff of Elbert County) got physically sick knowing that his baby girl was going through labor that day. As soon as Tom called and told Mimi that the baby boy and mother were fine, Pappy was sick no more. You arrived at 1:45 p.m. (Alabama time) and weighted 8# 8 1/2 oz.

Chad, you were the perfect baby (not a dig to Mark & Ab). You smiled all the time. We should have called you "Smile-o". One lady at church said that you were such a happy baby that "there is love written all over" you. You slept great, ate great and you were a complete delight to raise.

Here are a few pictures from your first year. Sorry for the quality. 34 years ago there weren't digital cameras.

3 1/2 mon. old - Notice the old-fashioned baby swing! Wind-up knob and plastic (probably uncomfortable) seat. Also, notice your feet that are "wind-blown". I'll get back to those feet later.

6 mo. old. You and Dad had a great time together. You laughed and smiled all day long.

7 mon. old. Sitting on our bed

8 mon. old - you were crawling.

9 mon. old picture

When you were 10 mon. old, Dad & I were in for a surprise. An orthopedic surgeon put casts on both your legs to correct your "wind-blown" feet. I am positive that in 2009, other measures would be taken. However, the next morning when you woke up, you paid the casts no attention whatsoever. You continued to be a happy baby.

Your smiles never ceased. You wore these casts for 3 months.

Throughout your life you have been so much fun and totally creative. I realize now that I didn't understand just how talented you were - I thought all 6th and 7th graders had detailed cartoon notebooks with hilarious stories. Remember "Bag Boy", "Sash Man", and "Super Ink Blot"?

In sixth grade you had an assignment from Mrs. Chartier to create a Simile, Metaphor, Personification Notebook. If ever there was an assignment right down your future-advertising alley, this was it. Not only did you get an A, you got 110%. It was hilarious and still is. Here is one example, although it is difficult to read:

The assignment was to cut sentences from newspaper/magazines and illustrate the simile, metaphor, etc. The one above is from the newspaper saying "An exasperated teacher of creative writing got tired of reading stories that took as long to get moving as a pregnant elephant." The teacher is yelling, "Could you please move it along!" The pregnant elephant (labeled Slow-Moving Story) is thinking, "What an exasperated creative writing teacher!" Funny, Chad!

When you were in middle school, your future advertising genius/creative mind took on a whole new meaning. You gave me a birthday notebook, bound in masking tape. It said,

"Mom, I have worked all year into discovering the true happiness of life. You have perfected it. Mom, this is your meaningful life condensed into one page. The world will be forever grateful." Then I turned the page and it said, "Drum roll, please . . . " The next page said, "Take a deep breath." Next page was your baby picture!

Then there was a time that you were starving and wanted a large hamburger for a snack. I had told you that you didn't need a hamburger, that it was too close to supper. You went in your room and created an entire advertising campaign about why you deserved a hamburger. The corner of the construction-paper "ad" looked like you had eaten the corner. You added that you were so hungry that you had resolved to eat paper. Needless to say, I immediately left to buy you the biggest hamburger Simpleville had to offer at the time.

Your creative juices have been good to you. You had a great career at Erwin -Penland and now you are writing at the Cliffs Communities. I am very proud of you. You are honestly the funniest person I know. Your one-liners make me laugh and laugh. When you walk in the room, I begin to smile just waiting for you to say something funny. God has given you a great sense of humor and a tremendous talent for writing. I'm now anxiously waiting for you to write a book. It should be a best seller!

I love you, Chad. Have a great day. See ya tonight!