f i r s t b o r n s o n

My first-born turned 22 yesterday.  At 11:30 am.  But - if I'd had my way he would have been born the day before.  'Cause that would have meant a lot less labor. . . 23 1/2 hours was just a tad much. 

He's a good kid.  (Oops, make that young man).  He's a young man who's had a hard time of life.  And I'm so very proud of how he's taken the lemons that life has thrown at him and made them into lemonade. 

Somehow he's made it though a lot, this kid of mine.  Autism, for one.  (Make that Asperger's Syndrome, means kind of the same thing).  We didn't know about the autism at first, though.  You'd think his fascination with sprinklers would have tipped us off.  And lights.  And later - tornados.  But when he was three the word "autism" hadn't even entered our vocabulary.  When he was five it did.  And we've lived with that word ever since.



Michael with his Grandpa Clayton, about age 3.

Michael is smart.  Taught himself to read at two and a half.  No kidding!  When he was young he loved to read non-fiction.  One of his books was titled Brain Surgery for Beginners.  We had books about space, nature, medicine, inventions.  He wanted to know how everything worked.  He played Magic School Bus computer games, and a bunch more that I can't remember the names of. 

And he remembered everything he read and learned on the computer. 

Today, Michael is still smart.  Loves to spout facts.  Loves fancy cars.  Plays golf.  Has a thing for video and computer games.  Likes cheese.  A lot.  Cares deeply for many wonderful people who have helped him along the way, especially his teachers at the Jordan Resource Center (now River's Edge School) in Jordan District.  Works at Harmon's (7th East) washing dishes in the deli.  And those dishes sparkle!  He can make a tub sparkle, too.  Want to borrow him?

Michael is  thoughtful, funny, helpful, and interesting. 

He appreciates family. 

Is good with the pets.

Is fascinated with fireworks.



And, still alive after nearly dying of a lung abscess a few years ago.

Good thing, 'cause I don't know what I'd do without him. 

So - happy birthday, my firstborn son.

I love you. . .