Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Happy Birthday, Brett!

October 24, 1988.  I had been in labor for 36 hours.  I was more than ready to be done with this crap.  I didn't have a CLUE about labor, babies, or marriage, for that matter.  I just knew that I needed to get this over with.  There was going to be a baby soon.  It would probably cry all the time anyway, right?

Wrong.  Brett was born and life was good.  I was no longer pregnant (remind me to tell you about how much of a miserable bitc* I am when pregnant) and I would get used to a screaming baby.  Only...

Only, Brett didn't scream.  Brett didn't cry without good reason.  Brett was content.  I could put him in a car seat and run as many errands as necessary.  Brett just laid there and made sweet little baby sounds.  Brett was a good boy.

His Grandma Wood told me how lucky I was.  She told me that HER son cried all the time, and that I should appreciate how good of a baby I had.  His Grandma Brady (God rest her soul) cried with joy over every sweet motion he made.  He was an angel.  A perfect child.  A doll, come to life.  He was Brett.

Bubba.  Son.  Sweetheart.  Man-child.  Bubba.  Yeah, I said "Bubba" twice.  Brett will always be "Bubba" to us.  Sweet, harmless Bubba.  Bubba to me and to Brett's dad.  Bubba to Brett's grandparents.  Bubba to Brett's sisters.  Yeah...Bubba.

Brett has made some poor decisions lately.  Do I write him off for those decisons?  HELL no!  I made worse decisions at, before, and after his age.  I count myself lucky to have this boy.  This wonderful boy.

I love you, Brett.  I love you, and I want to see you more.  Come and see your mother, OK? (guilt offered, free of charge.)  I miss you, and I love you, and I want...no, scratch that, I NEED to know *weekly* that you're OK.  I'm proud of you, and I love you.

Happy Birthday, Bubba.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Catching up here on your journal. What a nice letter to your son. Happy Bday to him!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Brett!!!
June

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT!!!
You are so right...children are bound to make mistakes...heck I get new gray hair each and everytime I look back at my life as a teen...but bless my mama and daddy's hearts...they still loved me too! Just like I will stand by mine ....and you stand by yours...
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Brett Brady! I hope it was a good one.

Anonymous said...

Brett - call your Momma!!!!!  I said so!!!  Happy Birthday to ya....
:>)
Sonya

Anonymous said...

damn it all. you just had to do this didn't you. i love you mom, and thank you, i'm about a week and a half late reading this but i still thank you. you have no idea how much i miss you and love you and how homesick i get at times (about every other day). i regret all the stupid things i've done, but i'm NOT regretful for moving out, because, when i did it opened my eyes a LOT. when you see me you'll be surprised at how much i've grown up in just a little over a month. i refuse to get off the phone with you or dad without saying i love you first (although, the last few phone conversations with both of you i didn't get it back).

i love you and i will be making probably weekly trips out there once i get a car.