Joshua David Briggs, born March 22, 1980, 2:56pm, weighing in at eight pounds, seven ounces, twenty-one inches long. I remember every detail like yesterday, but it's been thirty four years. This is the day that the trajectory of my life radically surged in a new direction. I know now, I was headed for disaster and this child saved my life. He forced me to seek truth and become the best person I could be. And while I assume my kids will need some sort of therapy after surviving a mother like I was, I know I did the best I could. I loved this child and his brother with every fiber of my being. I still do.
This is the day I brought him home from the hospital. There were no car seat laws, and he rode home to Matchwood Place safe in my arms in the back seat of Ginny's big old yellow Cadillac wrapped in the blanket that would become his "blankie" for many years to come. I still have that blanket that Fran Wenzel from the Trails made for him, and he loved so dearly as a baby. Some day if he has a child, I will give it back to him. I did not know his gender when I packed my bag. No one told me not to pick something yellow in case the baby was a bit jaundice, and it makes them look even more yellow, but Josh was pink and perfect.
Probably one of my favorite baby pictures of him. Digital had not been born and film was a precious luxury. I feel lucky I have as many pictures of the kids as I do.
This is definitely one of my favs. This was the day we brought Raymond home from the hospital and his life was never the same again.
He's about 7 here, taken at the Santa Anita Racetrack. Yeah, we took our kids to the track. That's what happens when children raise children. We sat on the grass in the infield and had a picnic. There was a playground there, but not usually very many kids. But I love this picture.
Here he is today, his selfie recently posted on Facebook.
Josh is a man now, 34 today, living in Portland. He seems happy on the few occasions we speak and I hope he is loving life as much as he can. Today on his birthday, I will call him, and chit chat, it will be good, but he will never understand the depth of influence he has had on my life, maybe not even after he has children of his own, and that's OK, but today as I honor his place in my life, my heart, I looked at his pictures and remembered all the joy he unknowingly blessed me with. Challenges too, but, oh so much more joy. I wish him peace and love with every breath today and always.
Happy Birthday Josh. I hope you have a great day.
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