My son Sam turned 26 years old yesterday. I am so glad that he had a chance to visit with us in October.

I couldn’t be more proud of the young man he’s become. He’s working in a homeless shelter where I’m sure his natural sense of compassion comes in regularly to help him and those he serves. He’s always been compassionate, even when he was a kid.

Yesterday my Mom got a phone call from a scammer pretending to be Sam in trouble. My Mother-in-law has also gotten such calls. It really burns me up that some really evil people try to take advantage of older folks by using their grandchildren, who they most have in their hearts. It shook mom up, even though she was pretty sure it was a scam. I called Sam and he was at work, and of course had not called them. I can’t tell you how angry this makes me. Just try it on me, jerks. I’ll scream so loud in the phone that your eardrums burst. They are the lowest of the low. Grrrrrrrrr. I’d like to kick them someplace they wouldn’t forget it soon, and I’d be wearing my Danskos. I’m not a violent person, except when it comes to defending my own. Then, watch out! Actually, Nathan and I have a running thing together, where I say I’d like to kick them (whomever I happen to be displeased with) in the shin, and he says he’s not letting me. I have a long list of people who I’d like to give a kick to. I don’t THINK I’d ever actually do it… but then I’m pretty sure I won’t ever find myself in front of a certain majority leader, for example. Best for all, I think, that I stay away from the Capitol. Maybe it’s all to do with my repressed anger. I should find one of Sam’s old soccer balls and go to the park.

Well, I’m sorry, I started by talking about Sam’s Birthday, and then it suddenly turned violent. Sam has a girlfriend, Erica, who I’ve never met, but feel like I know. She is a lovely young woman. I’m bound to love anyone who loves Sam. That includes his friends, also. I am friends with some of Sam’s friends on Facebook, and I love a peek into young adult lives.

Wow I think about when I was 26. I was living in Glendale next to the river. Nathan and I had been married for four years. I was pregnant, and then had just had a baby. A BIG baby: 9 lbs 11 oz of solid boy. I remember laying on the couch with him while Pandora looked on warily (Pandora was our cat at the time). Life was good. On Christmas Eve we were the Holy family at Whitefish Bay UMC, Nathan was Joe, I was Mary and Sam was a perfect baby lamb. He was only a couple of weeks old, and a tiny girl dressed as an angel had to carry him all the way down the aisle to me. I held my breath. I had no idea such a little child was going to carry him. He was quite a big bundle. But it all worked out and he never cried, bless him.

Being a new mom was scary and exhausting. But Sam was an especially sweet baby who didn’t cry too much, for which I was very grateful. He’s always been such a sweet kid. He had his share of scrapes growing up, but I think we did ok, don’t you, Sam? You certainly became a lovely young man. He and I have both apologised to each other for what we saw as a sometimes difficult childhood, but hey, I think that goes to show how much we love each other. Sam always knew I was in his corner, even when I was having a rough time myself. And Sam and I always knew Nathan was there, our solid stabilizing force. Like my tattoo we all touched each other and were a unit even if sometimes there were little crises in our lives.

Anyhoo, I love my lil family and the extended portions, too. I am blessed.