The other day the girls and I were watching a home video. Four year old Cory was so proud that he could read a book all by himself. He and his oldest little sister (the other two were still blessings to be imagined) were cuddled up with grammie while he read, "These are his socks. Does he put them on like this? No! He puts them on his feet. This is his shirt. Does he put it on like this? No! He puts it over his head." While it wasn't a correct word for word reading and only a memorized rendition, grammie couldn't have been prouder. Not to be outdone, the 3 year old sister proceeded to 'read' Disney's version of Cinderella. Cory was so patient as Hillary read, only giving 'big brother' correction when it was absolutely necessary. Sweet, understanding Hillary always responded with a meek, "BUBBIE!!"
Big, handsome, strong, kind... and 25! That's my baby coaching those high-schoolers. That's my baby sporting a full beard and hugging his sisters good-bye as he drives away to his home that isn't my home.
I remember cementing a memory on purpose. Twenty four and a half years ago as I was walking across the porch of our first home, I caught a reflection in the front window of myself with this chubby, long-legged 6 month old dangling on my hip. I just stopped and stared and thought, I want to remember this... someday (which seemed eternally far in the future) he will be a young man and I want to remember this. I do.
Happy Birthday Little Man!
Blessings, The Mama
I knew when I read the title of this in my blog reader that I would shed a tear by the end of it - and I have - they are trickling down my cheeks as I write. Lovely sweet post. Blessings and love to you and your son xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm with the Barefoot Crofter... tears sliding softly down my cheeks. Oh, for the wonderful love of our children. Happy, Happy Birthday to Cory! I know you are so proud of him. And, I love that you are a 'moment sealer' too. ;)
ReplyDeleteOkay, his little gnome is wonderful!! Have a wonderful week, Debbie. blessings ~ tanna
Happy birthday! They do grow fast-my son is 18!!
ReplyDeleteAh! They do grow up so quickly. But the happiest thing is that they grow up into people we can be proud to have reared. Happy birthday to your son!
ReplyDeleteAmazing isn't it? My oldest will be 23 this year!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like his birthday was a fun day...What a wonderful memory to have of him at 6 months!
Have a wonderful day!
Deanna
What a very nice tribute to your son...they grow up much too fast, don't they? I love my little man who is going to be 13 in a couple months :(
ReplyDeleteHappiest of birthday's to your 'baby'! I think they grow up way to fast and I for one would love to slow it all down!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son, second child, will be 26 next week! Not sure how that happened! :)
Debbie, making antler buttons is easy, just make sure you sand them very well once they are cute as the edges are sharp. I make necklaces with them to give as gifts to all the girlfriend's for Christmas. I will have to get some photos taken so I can show you.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, Debbie! Yes, the time has a way of going when we think it surely never will - it can't! But it does.
ReplyDeleteDid you make him a gnome for his birthday? :D
So Many memories. Miss you guys a bunch!
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet! So fast from 6 months to 25 years... My "little babies" will be 5 this year and I *can not* believe it. Is that lasagna I see for birthday dinner? Good man! Still can't get my husband to eat it. Haha!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to him, and you mama! Also, love the giant gnome for his present. Perfect! :D
Sweet post...and he is handsome!! :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't they just grow up too fast? Happy Birthday to your sweet grown "baby". The reflection memory is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteAwwww he is a handsome young man. You must be so proud. Happy Birthday, Corey. xo
ReplyDeleteI am so with you today on how fast they grow up ..My youngest baby girl , Clinical Supervisor RN for Hospice, Mother of 3....turned 32 today!! I swear I didn't sleep last night as my mind was racing with all the photo's and adventures up til this day...:)
ReplyDelete~~peace & love & joy & blessings~~
Debbie, I just realized how much he looks like you! Didn't really notice until I saw these pictures and there is your smile and you make that face quite often.
ReplyDeleteI know the feelings you are having, when my son was here last month I realized how much I'm missing being apart- only mine has a wife that's a part of him now! He'll never be my little boy again, he belongs to her now. But then I raised him to be someone's husband- and she appreciates my efforts! :)
Making memories is so important and you saved it all these years.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to both of you.
And a very handsome young man he is.
I know how fast the years go by (they seem to be increasing) and God gives us only a little bit of time to raise the children he blesses us with. My oldest will be 19! in a few months. Seems like yesterday when I could hold him in one arm. Btw - this beard must be a new style of fashion? Haven't seen this type before...yet! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. - I'm having a terrible time trying to post. Contacted typepad (my provider). They said it may be a problem with Blogger. Could you check with blogger? (not just happening with your site but other blogspot blogs too). I'd hate to not be able to post on your site! (signing in with my google account instead which links to my old blog - oh well!)
Happy Birthday to your handsome and grown up little boy.
ReplyDeleteI have to stay away from old videos right now. I'm all blubbery and emotional these days. I'm blaming hormones as much as circumstance. Normally, I just love to look at them and just remember.
It just goes by too very fast. He is such a looker. :)
ReplyDelete25 and he still loves a gnome for himself! Gotta love a guy like that. You raised up that child in the way that he should go! So happy for both of you and your memorized moments!
ReplyDeleteOh, Debbie, this is a tear jerker! Oh how swiftly time does fly...sniff, sniff...and if only we knew at the beginning how quickly those days and months and years would fly. I love that the Lord gave you that "freeze frame" when you were mama to a six-month-old boy, a memory that you can hold onto, a place in time that can't be taken away.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Cory...and happy anniversary of the beginning of your journey as a mother! May that journey always be blessed.
Happy Birthday to my older brother Cory! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the fun times. For swimming at 5 in the morning at camp, for driving us places, and letting us watch movies in your room. Thanks for playing games with us, and for...ahem... not having a beard when we lived there. Hehe;) I had fun just recently when we watched Lord of the Rings at your house with the girls and Monte.
You owe me a postcard Mister.
Miss you all, Big Mak
:)
He is handsome - cemented moments are best and I am sure you picked one of the best.
ReplyDeleteGood job Mom.
Debbie, My oldest will turn 27 this year. Amazing how quickly the time flies and one who was once just a sprig on my knee becomes a man. Such a sweet post -- thanks for sharing. ~Lisa :)
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! Happy belated birthday to Cory!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! How neat that you created a memory on purpose. I have done that too! Happy Birthday, Cory! We enjoy playing Apples to Apples too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Deborah
Beautiful. After washing 3 pairs of muddy feet repeatedly throughout the day, trying to keep the mud outside and slowly getting very tired, this is a sweet reminder of what I am really doing. Raising little men. Thanks.
ReplyDelete