Bryton

17 years ago today, I had a very unexpected surprise. I was barely 7 months pregnant with my 2nd child, when forces of nature indicated that it was time for me to rush to the emergency room. Certain they would send me home, I didn't call anyone. 4 hours later, Mr. Bryton arrived in this world. Tiny, premature, but here.

And oh my goodness, has he ever let his presence be known from that day forward.

His first years, by the age of 1, everything was a ball to him. I noticed it first with the Christmas ornaments, then potatoes, and my all time favorite eggs. Oh yes. Oh -- charcoal briquettes too. And what an arm he had.

I don't remember a day that he ever sat still. He constantly had me frantic over injuries, countless trips to the emergency room, many days where his grandmother (who sat for me) would not even take him out in public for fear of being accused of abusing him, you know, goose egg on the forehead, black eye, skinned knees, and at one point as one eye was healing, he crawled under my dining room table, (yes, to fetch his ball), and blacked the other one, two black eyes and barely 12 months old. They knew him by sight at the hospital. This child.

Then the bicycle tricks, ramps, airborne.

Football, baseball, basketball, golf, rollerblades, fishing and boating were all of his favorite past times. He was never still. Having raised my children alone, this beautiful child gave me a run for the money. The spankings were worth it to him, he would do exactly what I told him not to, knowing he would be spanked, but it was just flat worth doing.

Then paintball, hunting and skateboarding came into play and he's still moving right along.

The picture above was taken this weekend in Fayetteville at the skate park. They cut off his head - but at least he didn't break his neck.

Happy Birthday Son - I love you.