My Greatest Blessing Turns 13!

Exactly thirteen years ago today, God gave me my greatest blessing.

in the nursery

He gave me a healthy baby boy...

a cute healthy baby boy!

peacefully asleep in my arms

Looking at your tiny little face always made me smile!

Ninang and I had so much fun goofing off with you!

             And I loved kissing your chubby cheeks and biting your cute tiny chin!

You were a brave baby.  You never cried during immunizations.  Needles never scared you. Grimace did not scare you either.  I think he was the one who got scared ....

when you kept climbing all over him on your first birthday!

You were a happy little boy who charmed strangers with your songs and dances, and with your sweet adorable smile!

                          And everyone ooohed and ahhhhed when they saw how handsome you looked during Ninang's wedding.

God did not only give you a good memory, a talent in writing and drawing, a good singing voice, He also gave you a talent in playing the violin.  As Sr. Corazon once  said, "He has a magic touch."

I was so afraid you'd make a mistake during your first violin recital.  You were not nervous at all but I was shaking and it felt as if my heart was in my throat.  

But you performed excellently and then I knew I shouldn't have been nervous.  So I was never nervous again during your succeeding recitals.  

If anything, I was just soooo proud.

Whenever I  hear people whisper, "That's talent." or  "He's so good." while you  playing, I always want to stand and say, "That's my boy!"

And that's how Grandma feels too!  

She actually feels so proud when parents of other violinists and pianists would call her "Manuel's grandma"

I hope you know that everyone is proud of you!

Even though you have grown to be so naughty!

And though Grandpa and Grandma get annoyed with you sometimes...as they are in this pic,

I want you to know that we love you and we will always love you no matter what.

       We have loved you ever since we learned that you were in my womb.

We still love you now that you're thirteen.

And no matter how old you'll be or how tall you'll get, we will always love you.

I will always love you.

You will always be my baby.

You cannot stay in my arms forever...

but

you will always be in my heart.

And though I know that someday some girl might steal your heart, she can never change the fact

that you loved me first.

I am your first love.

And you will still love me in a very special way forever!

That is my greatest blessing, of which I am so thankful for!

I hope and pray that you realize:

your giftedness,

your goodness,

and that you are loved.

I hope and pray

that you discover more of your gifts,

that you develop the gifts that you have,

and that you use them for the good of others, and for God's greater glory.

I hope and pray

that you'll have true friends who will remain your friends for life,

that your burdens will remain light,

that you succeed in all your endeavors.

I hope and pray

that God will keep you safe, healthy and strong,

that He will bless me so that I can provide for all the things you need,

that He will help me give you a happy and comfortable home, 

that He will help me raise you to be a respectable, productive citizen, a loving Christian and a faithful Catholic,

that He will give you a long, happy, and fulfilled life, 

that He will give me a long life to spend with you and with your future children.

I hope and pray 

that God will give you many, many, many more happy birthdays.

Happy Birthday my son!  I love you very much!