Happy Birthday Michael

Today is my middle child’s birthday. Michael is 18 years old today. He has brought more than his share of tears and laughter. Daddy used to laugh himself silly watching Michael walk across the field to visit with him. Michael has always had tons of confidence. He walked a little bit like John Wayne. The only problem was that Michael’s legs seemed very short. Daddy used to say that "Michael looks like a body with shoes". Of course now, Michael is 6 feet tall. 
Michael is a total ham. Every time a camera was in sight Michael made sure that he was front and center, wearing a huge grin. He is affectionate and sweet. This might explain why there is a never ending parade of teenage girls in my house. I gave up trying to remember their names a long time ago. Keeping track of the guys isn’t any easier. Michael was born with my grandfather’s outgoing personality and he has never met a stranger. Drop my son into a crowd of people and he will walk away with fifty new friends and a couple of dinner invitations. I’ve seen it happen. Believe me it is beyond impressive.
There were times when I doubted whether he would actually live to reach the ripe old age of 18. He paid the price when his older brother and sister thought it would be "cool" to pile fire wood across the top of the swing set to hold a sheet in place. He explained later that they were making a tent. He realized it wasn’t such a good idea when the sheet came down on top of him, along with the aforementioned fire wood. While I was doing my best to stop the bleeding, Michael looked up at me and said through snot and tears, "My fore "brains" hurt". I probably should have bought the kid a helmet right then.
There is the usual angst. Michael is the leader of the "chest thumping brigade". When his head is spinning around I try to keep reminding myself that he is the same sweet little boy I see smiling up at me from the pages of his baby book. There is the same mischievous grin. The same brilliant blue eyes.  He was such a beautiful child. The silky blonde hair is now dark like mine. The Mohawk has been replaced by a regulation military cut. 
He is not afraid of hard work. He also knows how to "hold the couch down". If sleeping was an Olympic event the boy would have a gold medal.  I’ve been tempted more than once to just draw a chalk outline around him and be done with it. Almost as soon as the thought crosses my mind Michael will say something funny or give me a hug for no reason and I tuck the chalk into my pocket. 
Michael can melt your heart and make you think about ripping his out all that the same time. No one can ever say he is boring. I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he has been ours for so many years.  It is definitely one of life’s greatest mysteries. How can it be that the days drag on forever while the years go by in a blur? I am just thankful that I was along for the ride.
Happy Birthday Michael! I am so proud of you.