1981, October, one year old
1982, September, 2 years old
1984, September, 3 years old
1985, September, 4 years old
1985, 5 years old
1986, September, 6 years old
1988, 7 years old
1989, September, 8 years old
1990, 9 years old
1991, 10 years old
1992,11 years old
1992, 12 years old
1993, 13 years old
1994, 8th grade, 14 years old
1995, 9th grade, 15 years old
1997, March, 16 years old
1997, Fall, 17 years old
1999, May, 18 years old
1999, Fall, 19 years old
2000, December, 20 years old
2003, 22 years old
2003, December, 23 years old
2004, May
2005, February, 24 years old
2006, December, 26 years old
2007, December 27 years old
2008 August, almost 28 years old
2009, August, almost 29 years old HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Dear Shane,
Dad and I wish you a very Happy Birthday. You know I can't put into words how much you mean to us and how much we love you. I can't believe what all you have accomplished in your 29 years.
I actually wanted to write about some things you did in your youth where you got into trouble. Do you know, I can't think of a single thing. I really can't.
I do remember you going on a mission trip to Mexico once and when you got back you gave away all your Nintendo games and your Nintendo. I guess you were a sophomore in high school.
I do remember taking vacations and you having fits because Brent would look at you. I thought I would never get Brent to quit messing with you.
I know you NEVER complain. Even when you go to Florida to see Anna Claire for the first time and she screams the entire week. I never heard you complain about that. In fact, I don't think I have ever heard you complain about anything at all.
Remember the time that Uncle John wanted to give away his Mazda. He asked all of the nephews if they liked his car or wanted it. Josh, Chris, and Brent all said they liked trucks. You said "Uncle John, I like your car." Come to find out, you only said that because you didn't want to hurt his feelings. That's just the way you are. Well, that summer Uncle John just gave you his car. Of course, you were too young to drive (only 13 or 14 years old) so Brent ended up getting it and by the time you were old enough to drive it Brent had worn it out.
Remember when you were in about the 4th grade. Tomama gave you $5 for your birthday. I always made you and Brent write thank you cards for gifts. Well, this time I didn't even read your thank you card. I just mailed it to Tomama. Come to find out, the card said "Dear Tomama, Thank you for the $5. I don't know what I can buy for $5." Tomama loved it. She knew that I always made you and Brent write in the thank you card what you did with the money. You couldn't think of anything to buy for $5. So, that's just what you told her. Your cousins thank you, though. Tomama increased her birthday money after that to $10 each.
Let's see. I remember coming home from Hong Kong and Dad meets me at the door. He said "I have something to tell you. Shane broke his jaw in football practice and he can't eat anything. He can only drink Ensure." Aunt Sancy was with me. It was about 10:30 p.m. I was so devastated. Here I was, with my sister, in Hong Kong shopping while my baby boy was hurt, pretty bad. Early the next morning I left for Conway. You were a sophomore in college I think. I'll never forget that. I went to Sam's and bought Ensure by the cases.
Now here's something I sure remember. One day I received a letter in the mail. It had been mailed from you to the Rogers Police Department. You did not put a stamp on it so naturally it was returned. Being the curious person I am, I opened it. Inside was $150 in dollar bills and coins! Oh my. I rushed to the Police Department with the envelope. The clerk said "Mam, how old is your son?" I said, "Well, he's in college and yes, he should know better than to send $150 in cash to the police department." The clerk said "Yes, he should." Also, by then it was late!
We had fun going to White Water with the Graham's each summer, didn't we. Although, I can't remember a time Beverly or I made it home driving without getting lost somehow.
I was so honored to be able to give you your diploma at UCA. I remembered when we walked off the stage one of the professors stopped me and asked if I was your Mother. I said yes and he said "He's a real good boy." I was already beaming with pride but the smile got just a little bit wider.
When we lived in Bentonville I remember walking in your bedroom one night and you were sitting at the desk recreating pictures that were in the encyclopedia and copying words out of the encylopedia. Do you still draw? You used to draw a lot back then.
Also, when we lived in Bentonville you and I were addicted to white chocolate mousse from TCBY. In the summer I think we went every day.
You may be too young to remember this story but I do. I used to rock you all the time and sing the song "Oh Clementine." I don't know how old you were but once you said "Mommy, don't sing that song." I started thinking of the words "Oh my darling, oh my darling, Oh my darling, Clementine. You are lost and gone forever oh my darling Clementine." I quit singing that song that day.
You have probably quit reading by now. That's okay. The funniest thing you ever did happened when you were in Iraq. I wanted Christmas to be so special. I spent a good week and many, many hours fixing stockings for everyone in your unit. I shopped all over the place for just the right stuff to put in the stockings. I bought Christmas hats also. Boy was I proud of myself! Well, when I next got to talk to you I asked how everyone liked their stockings. You said something I thought was weird and I said "Shane, you did give everyone their stocking, didn't you?" Well, you said "Oh, they were supposed to get the stockings? I just dumped out everything on the bed and people just came by and got what they wanted." What, how in the world did you not know that the stocking was part of the gift. I just laughed. I should have been specific "Each soldier gets his OWN stocking."
Also, in Iraq, on your birthday Nana called in the troops in the United States. You received over 200 birthday cards. I wanted your birthday to be special but I couldn't figure out how to do that. I told Nana the only thing I could think of was to have everyone send you a card. You got cards, thanks to Nana and Papa Jack, from all over.
I do wish you were still affectionate like you were when you were little. You loved hugs from your Mom! Now, not so much. I would like to remind you that when you were in elementary school you used to tell me all the time that when you "got rich" you were going to buy me a red convertible. Red was your favorite color and I must have mentioned one time I wanted a convertible. You told me that for years! Just wanted to give you a friendly reminder.
I'm really enjoying watching you be the husband that God wants you to be. You are so thoughtful, caring, giving, and supporting. I'm so proud of you.
Dad and I love you so much and we hope you can take some time off from studying to enjoy some cake and time with your wife.
Love,
Mom and Dad
I'LL LET THE PICTURES TELL THE STORY. YOU CAN CLICK ONCE OVER A PICTURE TO MAKE IT LARGER. YOU'LL MISS ALL THE PICTURES BEFORE THE ONE YOU CLICK ON BUT YOU CAN CLICK ON "VIEW ALL" ON THE PICASA WEB PAGE.
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