Dear Satchel,
Happy 19th ride around the sun! Happy eleven billion ninety-six million miles (11,096,000,000)!
This past year has been a year of much growth. You completed your electronics course and began exploring a new path. You bought your first and second car with money that you earned. You learned some painful yet valuable lessons, and came through it stronger, wiser and triumphant. I’m proud of you and I know your dad is too.
Today we will keep our tradition of going out to eat on your special day. We will be dining per requested on the porch at Tacqueria Guadalajara which was your dad's fave and he'll join us there in spirit. When we see the paintings of Frida Kahlo that hang on the walls of the restaurant, let us remember the hardship she endured in her life. She wrote these words in her diary..."we can endure much more than we think we can". I think of all we’ve both endured, and I’m grateful for that which we’ve both accomplished, and I continue to believe that more good things are on the horizon.
Nineteen years ago today you entered this world in time for brunch. The window to our room faced Little Italy, which we snarkily called micro Italy because it was so small in comparison to NYC. The sun was shining and there was a bird on the window ledge looking in at us. I could hear the nurses talking about how "what a cutie" you were and one of them said, "OMG he knows his name". I told her that we talked to you by name during the entire pregnancy. You were so calm, so aware, taking in all the new sights and sounds. It was an extraordinarily beautiful day because you were in the world.
As always, on this anniversary of your birth, may you always know how deeply loved and admired you are....and that I celebrate you...today and every day! You have filled my life with laughter, creativity, adventure and joy!
Thank you for being YOU!
Thank you for being my son.
Thank you for the reciprocal gift of unconditional love and all the ways you show it.
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
Happy 19th ride around the sun, dear Satchel!
All my love,
Mama
(posted at the time of your birth)
