21 GRATEFUL YEARS OF SNAPSHOTS - Happy Birthday Scott

There is just something joyful about those who view life as a gift, and who are grateful for the little things. Gratefulness cannot help but be shown or expressed. It is an emotion that alters your life, perhaps humbling you. It changes how you see things, and how you treat others. It compels you to think what life would be like without the thing you are grateful for, and reminds you of how blessed you are. Perhaps we all could be a little more grateful in our daily lives. For some of us, this task is hard to do. But just maybe we could start by giving thanks to God for the little things He has given us. Then praise Him for the big things He has already done. Some of us may need to ask Him to change our hearts to be grateful for the closed doors He has shut in our lives, or for the relationships He has protected us from.

Looking through photos of Scott over the past few days really made me think of all the years we have shared. I, for one, am grateful for my son Scott, who turns 21 years old today! What a blessing he has been. Sure we have had some rocky times, but what parent and child hasn’t. He has been through a lot of adversity in his young age, from losing his father a few years ago, having a friend die in Iraq to break-up with girlfriends. Through it all, he always manages to have a loving heart.

Having Scott was the opportunity I got to experience the purest love known to humans. There is a depth and a dimension to a child's love that cannot be matched - unconditional, focused, intense, innocent love. There are millions of things I have learned since I have had him - things I have learned about myself, about others, about life, about what is really important...about tolerance and patience, about irony, about family.

When you turn 21, your thoughts go to parties, presents and becoming an adult. Officially, you are legal. Turning 21 is an exhilarating time in your life. It has been said that even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is another step in Scott’s journey. I wonder what other steps Scott intends to take in his future? I know one thing is certain, you have to look forward and believe in your dreams. You have to trust that everything that has happened in the past, happened for a reason. Learn from them, set your goals, believe in yourself and move on. Life is short so do not waste it by living someone else's life. Do not be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Do not let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. The heart somehow already knows what you truly want to become.

I’m proud of you Scott. Take stock of where you have been and what you want to achieve and reach for the stars! Love you! :-)