Where has the time gone??

I remember it like it was just yesterday. It feels like it was just yesterday. But it was, in actuallity, 24 years ago that after 24 long excruciating hours of pain I held a tiny 8.5 pound bundle fresh from heaven and felt pure love for the first time.

In those 24 years there have been numerous trips to the emergency room for all kinds of bumps, bruises, and stitches. There have been snips and snails and puppy dog tails. I have learned about dinosaurs, scouts, camping, mountain biking, airplanes, boot camp and war.

I have learned that when I am replaced as first in a child's heart, it can be a good thing and I can love my replacement as much as my child does, and a daughter in law can be a great friend to have.

I have learned that Grandma love is just as pure and heart enlarging as mother love. But different. More. Better.

There have been bad years. Times that I have learned to pray harder than ever before. Years that I questioned my decision to have children. But then the light came again and joy returned with the good times.

And I would do it all over again.

Happy birthday, Donovan. I love you.

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Indeed.