A quarter-century of change

Today is the Drama King's 25th birthday.

I must admit that for 24 of those years, I never knew what was coming at me.

And a few of those years, I wasn't sure he was going to live to see the next one.

This has been a banner year for him, one in which he grew up in ways I hoped for but never believed possible.

This was the year he figured it out.

This was the year he got his own car and health insurance.

This was the year he baked cookies and brought them to my office -- just because.

This was the year he called me -- just to say hi.

This was the year he decided that life was indeed worth living.

This was the year he found love.

So for his birthday this year, I have reasons to be grateful.

Actually I have one major reason.

So, Rocky, I offer you my thanks. Whether your relationship waxes or wanes, you have shown my boy that the light at the end of the tunnel is NOT the oncoming train.

Happy birthday, my no-longer-quite-so-dark child.

Welcome to the world. It's a beautiful place, isn't it?