Go Beyond

   Today is my 54th birthday and also my first birthday without my beautiful Mom. On the day I was born in a small one-story hospital in south Texas, two other babies were also born. However, both of these baby girls lost their mothers at birth. I was the only baby born on April 7, 1956 in Mission, Texas to go home from the hospital with his mother. My Mom told me that when she and Dad arrived home with me, the funeral procession for the mother of one of the baby girls born on April 7 was passing by on the street in front of our home. That street leads to Laurel Hill cemetery where we laid my Mom to rest on June 2, 2009. The two girls who share my birthday never had the privilege of knowing their mothers. When I reflect on that, I realize how blessed I am to have had Mom for fifty-three years. I am grateful to God for each of those years.

   Today is also my sister’s birthday. While I was celebrating my first birthday with my grandparents, my sister Bonnie (Yvonne) was making her entrance into the world. I met her a few days later and we’ve been great friends ever since. One of my earliest memories is of the time Mom and Dad took us to the beach in Corpus Christi. I was four years old and Bonnie was three. I didn’t want for Bonnie to go near the water because I had heard someone singing the song “My bonnie lies over the ocean…” I was afraid that the ocean would take her away. It didn’t. I’m thankful for all the years God has given us. And, I’m also thankful that Bonnie has always been there for me and my family.

Bonnie and Me with our Grandfather

   Bonnie and I shared birthday parties until we became teenagers. For years Mom baked two cakes — one with blue-colored frosting and the other with pink. And, because we were fortunate to live close to our grandparents, our birthdays were always very special occasions. My parents understood that birthdays were a great way to affirm us and did all they could to make our day memorable. Dad was an avid photographer, so we have lots of photos and movies of our birthdays, holidays, and everydays. These have become even more treasured since my Mom passed away. Today, I miss my Mom and I am grateful for every cake she baked and frosted in pink and blue for Bonnie and me. I love you, Mom. I love you, Dad. And, I love you too, Bonnie. Happy Birthday!