Happy Birthday, Shannon!

When I was two weeks shy of my sixteenth birthday, I gave birth to my daughter, Shannon. I remember the uproar, how can a fifteen year-old take care of a baby? How can a seventeen year-old be a father?

We managed it pretty well. After forty-two years we're still together. Whoops? Did I give away how old you are?

Shannon's father and I are so proud of our little girl. She has grown into a fine woman, even if she did go two days before taking our grandson, Jack, into the doctors for a sprained thumb that turned out to be a BROKEN thumb. *grin*

We watched her grow from our blond-haired blue-eyed baby girl into a full grown woman, complete with a degree and one great new husband, Scott. Within a few years we had our two grandsons, Jacob and Jack. Yes, Jack.

Now Jack's labor was long and difficult. We'd gone out to the car around three in the morning to take a quick nap. An earthquake woke us up and as we ran into the hospital we saw Lynn and Butch, Scott's mom and dad heading down the hall.

"Is the baby born?"

They both nodded.

We yelled, "Boy or girl?"

"Boy," Lynn replied.

"What's his name?"

"Jack."

We stopped in our tracks. My husband said, "Like in John?"

"Uh huh. Just Jack."

So that's our Jack. Just Jack. And the earthquake he rode in on has been bested by our Jack on numerous occasions, and broken bones.

Just a few weeks ago I called my daughter.

"Whacha doing?" I asked.

"Planning."

"Planning what?"

"My life."

She's forty-two and still planning her life. I have to say that just about every single plan she's planned has come to fruition. She's like that.

She probably doesn't know this, but one of my fondest memories of her is when she entered us into some sort of contest that Kathy Lee Gifford hosted. Maybe the Today show? I dunno. I never watch daytime TV. In any case, it was for mother's day and she sent in a letter describing her birth and her upbringing. We didn't win, but I will never, ever, forget that she took the time and the effort to do that.

*sniff*

Shannon is also beautiful. In appearance and in her soul. Her house is always open to friends and family. Every year she has about thirty-five people to dinner. There might be more, but I've never been able to count them all. She puts on a spread, Scott assisting in the kitchen, that anyone would die for.

If you're in trouble? Call my daughter. She'll help you out. If you need something she'll find it for you.

In many ways, she's a lot like her mother. *falls on floor laughing*

Okay, she's better than me. In Gemini Rising I've described her to a tee. Physically that is. If you've checked out my book, that's what she looks like from behind. *she's going to kill me for this one* The artist got her just right. Of course, my seventeen year-old grandson has issues with the book, but hey, my girl is beautiful inside and out and I'm proud of her.

Fortunately, she doesn't look a thing like me. She's a Kingsley, on her father's side. My niece Wendy is a Kingsley, too. Both are beautiful women with warm and caring hearts.

So, Shan, on your most special day, your dad and I wish you the very best. We wish we could be with you, but hey, we'll see you in a few weeks.

We want you to know how very special you are to both of us. Your birth represented a new beginning in both our lives.

One for which we are deeply thankful.

Happy birthday little one.

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