Thursday, April 03, 2008

My son is 19 today


Today is my youngest son's birthday. He is 19. NINETEEN! Bring on the zimmer frame. I am a good mother. We have a chocolate cake. Bought. And candles. But I suspect he may just veto those. He is asleep. I am sitting here waiting for him to appear. Nineteen years ago, he was a couple of hours old, and he was so tiny....the smallest of all my 3 children. He was also 2 weeks early.


He was just 15 months old when we moved back to the UK, and he is 100% English, and remembers very little of South Africa. My older children were 13 and 9 when we moved, so they remember much more, and my oldest son spent another 3 years travelling back and forth when he went back to SA to finish school there, and stayed with my parents. As I have said, we spent a great deal of time travelling. This, however, is the only home David has ever known.


In September, he will be off to university, and out there in the big wide world, just as his brother and sister before him. The baby who came as a very welcome surprise. Who dismantled playpens, and tried to eat the dog's food. The toddler who used to slide down the stairs on his stomach at breakneck speeds. Who climbed anything and everything. Who never needed to sleep much. The little one who learnt to ski when his mother and aunt pushed him down the slope and caught him. Who had a little yellow BP bike thingy he loved to race about on. The child who set off my parents' home alarm for fun. And climbed the burglar bars. The boy who loved playing cricket. Who drew endless plans of cities on sheets of paper which had to be stuck together until they stretched the length of the lounge. The boy who chose to go to a school none of his friends were going to, because he, at 11, saw that people were nice to each other there. Who adores the computer. The teenager who helps out at youth clubs. Who is loyal to his friends. Who helped his Dad at his allotment. Who started writing his own books when he was just 15. Who lost his father at 17, and who has shown so much maturity and strength. The young man who is tallest and biggest by far in this family. Who is a gentle giant. Who loves hiking in the Alps, having adventures....Who is more perceptive than most, and who cares deeply about so many things. Who has great faith and an imagination that amazes me. Who has travelled a path from a human tornado of a babe to a quiet, yet strong man.


Who has dreams of his own to follow.



Soon now.


Happy Birthday, David!

I love you loads and loads.......

16 comments:

Needled Mom said...

Happy, happy birthday, David. It sounds like he has grown into a wonderful young man. You will miss him when he goes off to university.

At A Hen's Pace said...

Oh, happy birthday to David!! Loved your descriptions of him. I can't imagine how I'll feel when my youngest is that old.

Linds, I've been so consumed with wallpaper and attic-cleaning that I haven't been here in a while...and I am so sorry to hear of your injury! I know how frustrating it is to have the time but be unable to do the things you wish you could do--remember my foot surgery last January? Nothing else but to stay in bed with my foot elevated for WEEKS. So my sympathies are all with you.

Yesterday's post about your doctor visit was hilarious. And I loved your musings on who we really are--always a question, isn't it?

Praying for a speedy recovery--

Jeanne

Susan said...

Happy Birthday to your David. He sounds like a wonderful young man and this was a wonderful tribute to him. I can only imagine how very proud you are of him.
Susan

Angie said...

David sounds like an awesome guy! Happy Birthday! I love the red hair. I have a son with red-hair and he also was an human tornado when he was tiny.

Vee said...

Happy, happy birthday to David!

Linds, this post is so loving. Hope that you'll print it off and put it in David's "baby book."

Linda said...

Happy Birthday David!! What a wonderful post Linds. They are a blessing these grown sons. God is so very good.

someone else said...

A very, very happy birthday to your David!! This was such a beautiful and sweet tribute to him.

Melissa said...

oh happy happy birthday!!!!!

Barb said...

Oh, Happy Birthday to David!

I'll bet you wonder how those nineteen years flew by so fast, right Linds?

Funny. My kids' birthdays remind me of the years speeding by a lot more than my own birthdays do. LOL

Anonymous said...

Stumbled onto your blog and felt like I had bumped into a friend. Some of the best cakes I've tasted have been bought (it's all comparative to my poor effort in the baking department.
I have a son David; I think David's are creative, adventurous and have sensitive souls as well as being handsome of course.I absolutely loved your post "need a coffee'. Waddling through that concept as we speak.See ya.

Midlife Mom said...

Happy Birthday David!! Yes, I agree with Needled Mom you will miss him when he goes off to university but he will be home on the holidays which will be fun! I bawled my head off when my son went off to college.......it was 20minutes away and he was home every weekend......with dirty laundry which I dutifully washed, dried, folded, ironed and he promply shoved in a big pillowcase! Sigh....
Loved your doctor story! Oh why do things like that happen when we are in front of our trusted physician??? I have to go this month and know she is going to yell at me for gaining so much weight. Well not yell but look disapprovingly at me. I'd rather she yelled!

The horse you chatted with is cute! Next time have a carrot in your pocket or a lump of sugar and you will have a friend for life! They don't forget! :o)

meggie said...

Happy Birthday to David!
I always think of the mother just as much on a child's birthday, so hugs for you too, Linds.xx

Dawn said...

Happy birthday to you David (which is now over!). I am personally glad you're having so much time to write your thoughts. They are very worth reading.

Crystal said...

Happy Birthday, David! What a joy you are to your Mom and how proud of you she is. And thanks for taking care of her (and the house, I assume!) while she's recovering.

Linds, your last few posts belong in a scrapbook - along with that journeys paper collection that you have in your stash. Just print them out, adhere them and voila - a treasure for your family forever. You are a wonderful writer which equals superb journaling! Go for it - when you are healed, of course!

I too think of Moms when it's a child's birthday. Grown sons (and daughters too) are such a blessing. Enjoy every one of these days that you still have together.

Vee said...

Linds, there's an award waiting for you at my blog with no strings attached!

Donnetta said...

Happy Birthday to your son!! Trusting new memories were made that will last a lifetime!