Seven years ago today, you were being born and I was probably in bed reading a book, keeping my mom at bay until she told me to get up so we could check the house one more time to make sure it was ready for the family to come over that afternoon. While I was out discovering that people actually go to stores on Christmas Day and wore pajamas to said stores, you were being poked, prodded, and footprinted. While I was waiting for the Jack in the Box on La Brea and Jefferson, to finish killing the cow to make my Jumbo Jack with cheese, you were being held and fed by a nurse in the hospital nursery.
While I was in the kitchen crying about spending another birthday and Christmas without my baby; God had a plan, an ironic one, but a plan in place for the both of us. Ironic that I had a baby waiting for me at a hospital in the Valley. Really the Valley. Mommy is so not a Valley girl. It’s Like You Know best described the Valley as hot, far and just- - the Valley. No other way to explain that place. And ironic that whenever people said to me, oh your birthday must be ruined being so close to Christmas. I would always say no, the really suckers were those unfortunate souls born on Christmas Day. Guess, the joke was on me.
Christmas Day 2004, our lives were changed for forever and neither of us were aware of the other. So strange to think seven years ago that I didn’t know you. That I haven’t been madly in love with you for forever. When I think of things that happened in the past they happened pre-Jory or post-Jory.
Oh baby boy (and I mean that in the way it was intended not in the John Singleton movie sort of way because if you became that type of baby boy it would be ON), I love you. The day you came home my life was forever changed. I was forever blessed. I don’t know why out of all the women in the world I was chosen to parent you, but I am forever grateful and humbled that I was. That I get to look into those brown eyes and tell you how much I love you. That I get to feel your small hand inside mine. That I get to hear the sound of your laughter. That I get to watch you put pieces of the puzzle together and see the light bulb go off.
Before Sasha came home, I worried I wouldn’t be able to love your little sister as much I loved you. You set the bar high. You were my little genius. You were my smart, funny, beautiful baby boy. How could another baby be as wonderful? How could another baby be as bright? How could another baby be as beautiful, inside and out? Of course, your sisters came home and my worries were put to rest, but there had been that worry.
I was told that was to be expected, you were my first. A lot of perks come with that and a lot of responsibility too. You are for better and for worse are my guinea pig. We are walking this path of motherhood/childhood together trying to figure out how it goes. I know sometimes I expect way too much of you. Sometimes I don’t give you enough credit for all you do. Sometimes I ask too little of you. Sometimes you get busted for things that weren’t your fault. I’m sorry for all that. Forgive me, I’m a work in progress, but remember one day I will come forth as pure gold.
I make mistakes because I’m human, but never doubt that I love you. When I hurt you, I love you. When I don’t keep my word, I love you. When I chastise you, I love you. When I lie to you, I love you. When I give you wrong advice, I love you. This parenting gig is super hard. Harder than I ever imagined and I’m learning on the job so please be patient with me.
And this year more than ever, I realized that this job doesn’t stop in eleven years- - just my job duties change. There is so much out there, Jory. So much out there to take your eyes off of the prize, take you off the narrow path. I pray for wisdom and strength to parent you the best I can. No mom holds her newborn and imagines one day her baby will be a murder victim or incarcerated or selling dope or a scrub or some dude with a bunch of baby mamas without ever a wedding ring gracing his left hand or a baby factory giving the state tons of kids to take care of. How did those kids get from A to B? I pray that I always see you for who you are. I pray that your goal in life is to be the man, the husband, the father, the leader God calls and wants you to be.
I love you, Jory Herrington. I would do anything for you, except help you bury bodies. We’re not that close. And please know that you weren’t given Casey Anthony type parents, my love does no limits, so if I can’t talk to or see my daughter, your wife, or my grandchild, after two days and you’re giving me the runaround, please know I will be at your door with the cops. I will not be on 48 Hours Mystery looking crazy, stupid and/or in denial.
I have loved watching you grow these past seven years and I look forward to what the future brings us. The good, the okay, and the bad. I have enjoyed being your schoolteacher, didn’t think I would ever say that. Yash of seven years ago would have died laughing if someone had suggested that to her.
So in conclusion Jory, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you have an awesome day! And I love you from the top of the sky to the bottom of the ocean for always and forever! Happy Seventh Birthday!!!!!!!
Got to tell you how you thrill me
I'm happy as I can be
You have come
And it's changed my whole world
Bye-bye sadness, hello mellow
What a wonderful world
It's so amazing to be loved
I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above
Ooh, ooh, ooh, I'd go
Cause we've got amazing love
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