How amazing is this?…
My mother is the oldest girl of six kids, with only one brother. I am the oldest girl of seven kids, with only one brother!
My mother’s first child was a boy, born on April 17th. My first child was a boy, born on April 17th!
1969 and 1995…The April 17’s of those years made parents out of both my mama and myself (well, a few other things contributed too, lol).
I’ll never forget talking to my brother from the hospital room I was staying in. The biggest gift I could have offered him was his first nephew, born on his birthday. Doug was celebrating his 26th the day God delivered to me my first blessing. I know my brother would have been there if he hadn’t been living so far away at the time.
Three years later, we would be dealing with another kind of hospital room…my brother would be involved in a life threatening car accident. We had virtually said goodbye to him. He was in a coma for two months…and the doctors said he would never wake up. They said that he would #1. Grow old asleep, or #2. Die of a complication such as a brain aneurysm. There seemed no hope. I absorbed my mom’s desperation, listening to her cry and moan all night long, as we slept in the motor home we had parked outside the hospital. I had my (two now) children with me and I concentrated heavily on the fact that my first-born was warmly curled up next to me…while her first-born was in a different kind of sleep, separated from his mama by doctors, nurses, and hospital walls. It was a very long and painful time, but one that saw the unfolding of miracles right before our eyes.
This past Sunday, we gathered as a family to celebrate both birthday boys…Doug turned forty-two and, to my grand disbelief, my beautiful Antonio turned sixteen. The time has simply flown by, taking with it many of the obstacles we have overcome…and having the decency to leave behind so many beautiful memories for us to enjoy.
I am so proud of my son and my brother. I continue to be impressed by the development of the young man God designed my son to be…and I’m grateful that my only brother is around to see his oldest nephew, his birthday twin, fulfill his purpose.
Happy Birthday Doug and Tony! I love you both 🙂
Donna, You are the best writer I have ever read, and you make me cry every time. I could sit and read your thoughts every day, all day. You are so blessed with talent. I am so thankful for you. Love, Momma