Fifteen Candles

Happy 15th Birthday, Alphonse, child of our hearts.
You weren’t like other children
and God was well aware
You’d need a caring family
with love enough to share.
And so He sent you to us
and much to our surprise
you haven’t been a challenge
but a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter
the pleasures you impart
far outweigh your special needs
and melt the [...]

Read Full Post »

Lost-And-Found Daddy

This was written by my youngest sister Jasmine. I asked her permission to put it here in honor of our Dad’s 67th birthday today. I am not able to write about this as bravely as she has and so, I am borrowing her words today. Thank you, Jas.

Daddy and his first grandchild, Alexander
And to our dearest Daddy, the [...]

Read Full Post »

“How Do I Love Thee?”

For the sake of A’s privacy, I have decided not to post any pictures from my birthday vacation. Instead, I would like to share the many, wonderful ways A surprised me for this special event.
The night before we left, A brought home this cake for me and the kids. (See the dedication? How sweet!) I [...]

Read Full Post »

Because You Loved Me

My mom’s birthday is today.  A very young-looking, beautiful 62, she is an accomplished businesswoman in her own right (Go, Reliv, Go!), grandmother of four, mother of five, and wife to a much-loved man.
Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you!
~0~
I wrote this eight years ago in honor of the most important person who shaped my life- my Mom.
My Mom, My Hero
My mother [...]

Read Full Post »

My Gratitude Knows No Bounds

To all my friends, old and new, who wished me a happy birthday, whether through this blog, or through Multiply, Friendster, text message, or email, many, many thanks for your well wishes and prayers. I will post pictures from my birthday celebration(s) as soon as I upload and sort them. A and I [...]

Read Full Post »

Stepping Up To Be “Wifely”

I’m writing this from an undisclosed location, away from the kids for a change. I am on a very special birthday vacation. Yes, friends, tomorrow, I turn a year older.
I was hesitant to celebrate my birthday away from the children. Aside from the worries of the long days and nights without my boys, [...]

Read Full Post »

Multiply My Tree Of Blessings

Over the last week, I’ve had great surprises come that it almost feels like my birthday is upon me (and it’s still a few days yet)! Hello Kitty, as the news tells us, has become an Ambassador of Goodwill and Tourism between Japan and China, but this is simply a very superficial or shallow overview [...]

Read Full Post »

Remembering

Today would have been my mother-in-law’s 66th birthday. She passed away in 2005. The following was written for her for Mother’s Day that year.
Wherever you are, Mommy, know that you are always remembered with love.

Mommy

On Mother’s Day this year, the sun was up bright and early. The rains had yet to fall that time [...]

Read Full Post »

The Other Son

It seems only yesterday, when I delivered a scrawny little baby boy by emergency caesarian section. He was six and a half weeks early, a frail little thing who fit snugly in the small crook of my arm. He was the one who made me a mother.
Today, he turns fifteen, no longer a child, no longer my baby. Where before [...]

Read Full Post »

Happy Birthday, Daddy Only!

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a [...]

Read Full Post »