There's Sunshine in my soul

Thirty nine years ago today I was lying in a hospital bed in an American military hospital with hovering German & American nurses and a Hungarian OB waiting to catch my firstborn while my darling husband cheered me on (thanks to hours spent in Lamaze classes).  The doctor was more than willing to help ease my pain with meds but I wanted to be a “real woman” (please see earlier reference to Lamaze) and “do this” on my own.  The doc was confused.  I was determined.  And Jim was the calmest one in the room.  It was almost a contest between the OB & me to see who was going to last the longest. 

I won.  And I got the best prize of all – a 6 lb.10 oz. bouncing baby boy.  Named James Aaron Bratton – after his father, both grandfathers and all the other James’s on both the Birdwell & Bratton family trees (and there are a lot of them!). 

My oldest has finally grown into the man that we always knew he would become.  He is the perfect definition of a late bloomer.  He might achieve success later than some, but he’s received a lot of love and good solid friendships from others to help guide him through.  I’m eternally grateful for his friends, his good friends.  They accepted him when others would not have.  But that’s okay, it’s their loss.  And his friends' gain.

And for his birthday wish, this is what I’d want for him.

Peace.  True peace.  Calming, soothing peace.

That he never has to doubt the love & friendship of those around him. 

That the mistakes he’s made in the past will be resolved and that there will be no more pain. 

That some of the promises he made will not have to be kept (grandchildren – YES!!!). 

That he actively looks for happiness, because he deserves it.  And needs it.  Over the years as he’s grown up – and with a little push from a certain Girl - he’s learned to give so much happiness to others along his way.

That he knows that his parents love him.  And that he’s his mother’s favorite.  Not always because he’s been the one that’s been the farthest away.  Not just because he didn’t deserve it any more than others.  But that he broke my heart – and then mended it a thousand times over.  Any pain that was caused has been removed, smoothed over so that there is no scar.  The memories have faded away.  But the love remains.

Peace.  And with that peace, love.  Reach out for it.   Seek it.  And you’ll be rewarded tenfold.

You are my Sunshine.  My only Sunshine.

And don’t you forget it.