TIme flies....

Many thanks to the Google for this completely appropriate pic.

The Squab turns eighteen today.  My first baby is becoming a legal adult. Eligible to vote, register for selective service, can legally join the military without my consent.  He could even get married or move away from me & there's nothing I can legally do about it.  Legally.

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Our very first "just the two of us" picture

First father/son picture

"If you were born on 6th October 1997, your age is Eighteen years and zero days. 6574 days passed since day of Your birth (or 939.1 weeks). But you are not alone with this! In world 378000 babies was born on that day.

You were born on Monday, and your zodiac sign is Libra.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!, next birthday will be in 366 days. Your previous birthday was 365 days ago."  (Courtesy of  BirthdayScan.com)

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I have always considered myself to be cautiously optimistic; meaning I hope for & believe that the best can & will happen, but I also brace myself for the possibility of less.  I did not do this when my Squab was born.

I foolishly believed that he would stay little forever; that he would always need me to pour his milk & tie his shoes.  I had convinced myself, despite his ever increasing height, that he would always be my baby.  Boy was I wrong.

One of the first pics of the Squab & Chicken

He started telling him how to be a good brother right from the start

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I have loved this boy from the second I found out I was pregnant with him. He has been a part of  my heart & soul forever.  He is my brain twin, my sarcastic accomplice, the reacher of things higher than me.  He can make me laugh & cry with just a look.  

He will be leaving me, to show the universe the incredible man I know that he is, before you know it.  He'll be off doing amazing things & becoming even more than I have ever imagined for him.

So if you'll indulge me, I'd like to just finish this by sending him a sappy little message.

Aloha,
​-Clare

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One of the few times Emily would let me share "her boy"

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Squab boy, you are one of the most wonderful people ever.  In all of time & space, there will never be another being even close to the brilliantly creative, sarcastic, caring, funny, mindbogglingly random, sensitive, loving creature that is you.

I knew love before you came into my life, but had never come close to imagining the sheer magnitude of love that I could be capable of.  You taught me to laugh, breathe, roll my eyes in exasperation & not take everything so seriously.  You showed me how to open my heart more, even when I thought I couldn't possibly love any more people.

Forgive me the sappy, weepiness, because I am just so damned proud to be your mother.  You have grown to be so much more than I had dreamed for you.

And though you may drive me (even more) insane with worry, frustration, anger, laughter, love & joy, but it has been my honor & privilege.  

You will do great things in your lifetime, important things.  But no matter what you do or where life takes you, you will ALWAYS be my baby.  I will always love & support you, no matter what.

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You mean you don't wear a tortilla on your face?

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I love you Squab.  Happy Eighteenth Birthday!
-Maum