If We Were Having Coffee is a weekly blog share and link up hosted by Part-Time Monster. You can join in the fun too!
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If we were having coffee today, I would probably be lost in thoughts of my son and you might get bored. You see, today is his birthday. He’s my first born and only son and will always be the closest to me in a lot of ways. Tony is 33 years old today and while I can remember all of the milestones, it also seems like it cannot have been that long ago. He’s a wonderful son although lately he has been very busy and I don’t get to hear from him too often. He lives in Seattle (2.5 hour drive from me) with his wife, Sarah, and their three dogs. That’s actually one of the special things about both Tony and Sarah. Their dogs are all “last ditch” rescue dogs that would have been euthanized if they had not given them a home. One is both blind and deaf. The other two have degenerative conditions. One has a life expectancy of 10 years and is already 11. But both Sarah and Tony have big hearts that they have chosen to fill with the love and companionship of and for these special creatures.
I would also tell you about how Tony, even though he was only ten when his dad left home, took it upon himself to be the “man of the house” and take care of me and of his two sisters. He was never asked to do that but he stepped right up and made sure that he did anything and everything he could to take care of us. Later, he drove his sisters to and from school while I worked and after school he would go around town paying my bills for me and helping the girls with their homework and if need be, he would get shopping done for me, too. I left for work very early in the morning and returned late and almost always had meetings and school functions to go to so Tony stepped up, without being asked.
When he went away to college, he had decided on going to a school that was an hour away from home so he could come and help out on weekends and even during the week if I needed him. But that wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair to him. I knew he deserved so much more. He needed to be off away from us to live his own life and take care of himself, not us. So I took him north instead of south and he fell in love with the campus at UC Santa Cruz. Although it meant he would be six hours away from us by car, I knew it was best for him. And so he left. But he stayed in touch. He knew that I am a worrier so he would keep his AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) on all the time. He would even put up away notices so that I would know when he was to be back. We rarely instant messaged but it was a comfort to see when he was online because I knew he was okay if he was online. And he kept in touch with his sisters online and by phone, too. They would even call him for homework help!
I know I’m boring you. I can’t say enough about him. If you let me we’ll be here all day and all night and I won’t shut up about him. But for now, suffice to say that I am relieved and happy to know that he is safe and thriving and happy. He’ll be off to Japan for a three month work assignment soon and it bothers me that he’ll be so far away for so long. He has been there before for work but usually only for a week at a time. This time it is for three months! If I could, I would get on a plane and go visit him during his stay but that’s a long and expensive trip and I am not one to go out exploring in a foreign country by myself while he is at work. So I’ll stay home.
Oh! Before you go, let me tell you one more thing about how thoughtful and special my son is. In My of 2009, I was in California to spread my brother’s ashes with some of the family. On Mother’s Day, my son took me to brunch. While we waited for our food, he handed me a package and a card. The package was store wrapped from Barnes & Nobel and was obviously a book. When I opened it, I thought it was a mistake. He was going to Australia in the fall and the package was an Australia travel book. I thought the store had wrapped the wrong book. I looked at him and said, “this is for Australia?” Tony smiled and said, “Yeah, you’re going with me!” He went on to say that he could never repay me for all of the sacrifices and everything I had done for him but he could take me on a special vacation. I was floored. I could not believe it. But then again, that’s how Tony is. Always thinking of others and of how he can help or make their lives easier. That’s my Tony!
It’s time for a refill on our coffees so you can tell me about your week. How was it and what do you have coming up next week?
It sounds like you have a lovely family. It’s always nice to hear parents talk about their relationships with their adult children so fondly. π
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It sounds like Tony was a great kid and still is a very good adult. I’m sure you have every right to be proud of him on his birthday.
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Your son sounds like the apple of your eye! Bet he wouldn’t borrow your truck and not return it. Now you have to go find out what that means! HAHA π
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I knew what that meant. I’ve thought about it throughout the week. Funny how even just a few visits to a blog get us involved in that blogger’s lives and struggles!
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It’s rather nice too. I find myself thinking about the people whose blogs I read, or those who interact with me on mine.
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I wasn’t bored at all. Tony sounds like a wonderful son. I remember your trip to Australia! Was it that long ago? Not that 2009 is really that long ago, but it doesn’t seem like it was six years ago. My, how time flies. Thanks so much for the coffee. π
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Yes, Robin…2009. It was before Anderson was born, so in that sense, a lifetime ago. In fact, it was in Melbourne that I got the call from the ultrasound room telling me it was a boy!
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Wow- that is a very special son you have. All that goodness does not come from nowhere, you have raised him well, and he is a good soul as you are. In the genes. Happy Birthday to him.
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As a mum I never tire of hearing about people’s children ( or kidults – the grown up ones lol ). People may say ‘You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your child’ but I don’t think it’s luck at all. I believe nurturing , love, and taking time for fostering a relationship is what strengthens it and cements it. You have obviously got the formula right π happy birthday to your son and best wishes to you on this special day for it is a milestone for you too – giving birth to this special son.
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What a wonderful son you have raised! Thank you for sharing about him with us. Happy birthday to Tony!
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That wasn’t the least bit boring.
Sounds like you’ve done an amazing job and you are all very fortunate to have each other π
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Thanks for the coffee and company. I loved hearing about your son, and your pride in him and the man you’ve raised. It’s truly wonderful. I hope you have a lovely week ahead π
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I know I’m late to joining you in coffee, but I have to say I wasn’t bored at all. What a lovely post. Your son is who he is because of you, and what you instilled in him, you’ve done a wonderful job and it’s evident in the way he cares and loves you. Very lucky indeed (both of you). Happy Birthday to Tony!
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Tony sounds like such a special guy! Congrats on doing such a good job raising him! I love talking about my kids as well!!
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You raised a fine and outstanding young man and you have every right to be proud.!
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