Birthday Boy turns 16.....mom needs some drugs!

[singing] When a man's an empty kettle,
He should be on his mettle
And yet I'm torn apart.
Just because I'm presumin'
That I could be kinda human,
If I only had a heart.
I'd be tender — I'd be gentle
And awful sentimental
Regarding Love and Art
I'd be friends with sparrows
And the boy who shoots the arrows
If I only had a heart.

picture taken while waiting for husband in Eastern Kentucky, this was just hanging from a tree

Sixteen years have come and gone...and I can barely believe they have flown so fast.

When I saw this tin man hanging from a tree, I couldn't help but remember all those days of

you and Mad watching the Wizard of Oz.  I bet we rewound the tin man scene at least five hundred times a day, and each time you'd sing the song, dance the dance and signal with your little finger.....1 more time.

oh how time has flown,

you now stand taller than me,

and just today,

you are one step farther into the independant life of manhood,

I held my breath as you took the test for your permit

and it was all I could do

not to jump up and down in the dmv office when you signaled to me that you passed---

i however knew you'd be embarrassed by your mother doing the off color family's victory dance in the middle of the office ( I did think about it though)

I felt the sinking feeling

when you handed the woman your paperwork and sat in the chair

for your picture....

my baby is all growed up.....

I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of you.

I marvel at your confidence in yourself,

am proud of your good manners and your empathetic heart,

yes...if there is any character that

you took after ...well

I'd say your exactly what that tin man was looking for...

you always root for the underdog,

special needs, disability, color--you don't seem to notice--but seem to see the wonder

in what's underneath,

you are a good friend to your buddies

and an allie

to those who need a friend.

you do read people well,

see lots of things deeply layered that others miss,

I love that peice of you that is somewhat mystical in a weird kind of way,

you sometimes have that sixth sense about you and

you seem to be grounded enough to embrace it.

I know I'm your mom.....

but on this

day...

your happy day,

my happy day,

I want you to know

I love you and wish nothing but

peace, love, joy and deep contentment for you in your life....

so now that I've been mushy with you,

omg...

I know you wanted to slap me today,

know I got on your nerves,

but driving with your kid at the drivers wheel is no easy matter and is not for the faint at heart,

yes you did do well for your first day out,

but yes you did scare the poopity doo out of me,

and

yes,

you did hear me drop that word, the "f bomb" when i thought you

were swerving to miss the pothole and I saw us heading for the big ditch being dug up by utility workers---sorry you had to see you mom freaking out....

but

if you are going to drive and I have to ride in the teachers seat...

well we are going to have to take me

for a

bottle of "nerve pills".

yes...i know you know how to drive,

yes, I know I embarrassed you in front of your friends,

maybe if you're lucky

i'll do better tomorrow but I make no promises...

Braham

happy birthday....

I hope you enjoy that new car you got along with the priviledge to drive....

I am blessed to have you for my son----even if you aren't patient with a nervous mother!