Mom, Dad and I moved into their Little Yellow House in Summer of ’86.
I was 3 years old.
They still live there.
Every year on my birthday, mom has always held an intimate family birthday party.
Every year she cooks a big birthday dinner.
And every year she bakes my favorite birthday present – Chocolate Irish Potato Cake.
And every year, I sit in the exact same chair at the exact same spot at the exact same table.
And everyone sings Happy Birthday.
Uncle Danny has always been there at the table with us for as far back as I can remember. He was there last night.
My late Uncle Floyd was always there before he passed away. (He wasn’t there last night).
Occasionally, Uncle Bubba or Aunt Mae or Aunt AnnieFaye will come too.
On my 18th birthday, my late cousin Sean Lay was even there across the table smiling his big cowboy smile at me.
Last night all 4 of my children were surrounding me singing. And of course Jack & Maggie had to sing Happy Birthday in Mandarin Chinese.
Maggie begged to video tape it.
They all cheered when I blew out the candles.
Caleb ran over to me and gave me his favorite baseball wallet with some pennies he had collected. And his large box of army men.
“It’s your birthday present!!! Because you will like it as much as I do!!” he claimed.
Maggie and Jack wrote me sweet happy birthday notes.
Juli tried to say “I love you” but since she doesn’t talk yet, it came out more like “Hmmm hmm!!!” We all knew what she meant.
My mom is 74 now. Pretty thankful for so many years of good memories she’s given me in the “little things”. Like birthdays.
And homemade Chocolate Irish Potato Cakes.