My First Born

Today my first born son turned 19, yes 19, I can't believe it. Seems like yesterday I brought him home and was a nervous young mother, feeling overwhelmed at being the one responsible for this precious little life. I found though that being a mother suited me. I enjoyed Chad immensely and thrived with the responsibilities of taking care of him. We were learning together, just the two of us.

Back then when he was a baby, I had no idea what was instore for our future. I didn't realize just how much he would end up teaching me. The illness that he would have, the struggles in school starting with preschool. The worries, and the many doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. How many varieties of medications he would be tested with. Or how much patience it would take from me to hold my family and marriage together.

Life doesn't hand you a rule book, it doesn't help you with obstacles, it doesn't help you pick the right path. What live does is tell you that you have to be strong when you aren't given any choice. Teaches you tolerance of others who are different. That everyone has a story, and tragedy can be turned into triumphs.

I still remember that little baby who was innocent, happy and full of love. I think that is what kept me strong throughout all of these years. I am proud of who my son has become, what he has had to overcome, and what he has yet to accomplish. He is a strong young man, with a huge heart, lots of love to share, who is kind to others and is respectful when he can. Some people say that they wish they could do it all over again and they would change the choices they made. I wouldn't change anything, even my mistakes. For everything that life threw at me has made me who I am today. Taught me more than I ever thought I could know, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Chad age 7 mths, and me (Denise)