Happy Birthday Joseph!
Today would be my son's 17th birthday. That just amazes me! One, that I am old enough to have a 17 year old. And two, that the little boy I knew would be nearly a man.
Joseph was born in the wee hours of the morning on April 14, 1994. As our firstborn son, he made quite an entrance in just four short hours. He was a beautiful baby boy, but he suffered from colic for the first 3 to 4 months of his life. Neither his dad nor I were all that thrilled that what we had been so excited for came with such a holler. He was unfortunately destined to have stomach problems nearly all his life.
When Joseph was just 2 and a 1/2 years old, we returned from a trip to Hawaii to learn from his sitter that he had been ill while we were gone. His diahrea continued until we were concerned enough about dehydration to take him into the doctor. The doctor instantly admitted him to the hospital where he underwent tests to discover what was wrong. He was diagnosed with a c. diff which is often caused by too many antibiotics in the system. Joseph's case was from an unknown cause.
Joseph suffered from chronic diahrea for the rest of his life. He underwent frequent colonoscopies. He was admitted and stayed in the hospital nearly every year either with dehydration or complications for his asthma.
Beyond his health issues, Joseph was a lively child. He loved playing with friends. The creative leader of the bunch, he would lead his friends through elaborate, made-up games. He was kind and very loyal to both his friends and his family.
Joey had an amazing laugh. When watching his favorite TV show, "America's Funniest Videos", he would throw back his head and just laugh and laugh. I can still picture him on the couch caught up in a fit of the giggles.
Despite his stomach problems, Joey had a stomach of steel and loved riding fast and spinning rides. I remember once when visiting the Kennedy Space Center he rode the space simulator with his Dad. Hopping off the ride he hopped right back on with no physical effects. We were constantly amazed by his resilience.
Joseph was not a complainer, which meant we often didn't know how much pain he was or wasn't in. He would rather have fun and get back to doing things he loved. He was often sick over the holidays including one Christmas where he passed two kidney stones and spent several hours in the Emergency Room.
Joseph adored his brother and sister and taught them all the in's and out's of sword play, Lego building, and soldier training.
Joseph surrounded himself with amazing friends who loved him as much as he loved them.
Joseph wanted to be a soldier when he grew up, but most of all he wanted to be a Dad.
I am super proud of the young man he was and I'm sure he now is. I can hardly wait to greet him in heaven as a healthy, happy man.
I love you, son! Happy, happy birthday!