There are many things you know, many you remember, and some
you may not. But on the occasion of your 30th birthday, it seemed
like an appropriate time to share with you 30 very special memories:
1.
I had eight miscarriages between you and your
sister.
2.
I had a tubal pregnancy and emergency surgery.
3.
You were supposed to be “twins.” (Looking back
now, I can’t imagine having two of you – identical or fraternal.) I lost one
six weeks into the pregnancy. You were tenacious and hung in there. Thank you.
4.
I was confined to bed for three months after you
decided to shift. I begged the doctor to allow me to work through World Cup on
Aspen Mountain. When the event ended, so did that stint of working for Aspen
Skiing Company. The upside was that I learned how to crochet; it’s a skill I’d
like to relearn when I have the time, and inclination.
5.
You were going to be named Gregory. Your sister
chose your name.
6.
After having one Cesarean, because Gwen was quite
comfortable hanging out, I was going to try to have you in the “normal” way.
Like everything in our lives, “normal” is how you define it. Apparently, for
me, that meant another C-section.
7.
In the delivery room, I lost a lot of blood and
they nearly lost me. I remember hearing general chatter go to hushed whispers.
I remember seeing a white light. I also remember thinking this was not how this
story was going to end.
8.
When they put you down beside me, the only clear
memory I have was looking at your hands and saying to the doctor that you had
remarkably long and slender fingers. At that point, I thought you might play
piano. I was correct about the musicality, just not the instrument with which
you would create it.
9.
During a short hospital procedure , to the
amazement of the doctor and two nurses, instead of crying you fell asleep on
the table. That was the start of your being able to sleep almost anywhere and
at any time, a trait that has served you well.
10.
You (mostly) slept through the night right from
the start. When you didn’t, I’d sit in a rocking chair and sing a song I made
up for you.
11.
You never had colic. I learned from having Gwen
six years before that Mexican spices and breast milk are a lethal combination.
12.
Both you and your sister had chicken pox –
TWICE. As you get older, remember that because you’ll need a shingles shot when
you are my age.
13.
You hated (and still hate) peas and tomatoes,
which always made me wonder if you were switched with another baby in the
hospital. Same could be said for your sister and her taste. Apparently I failed
you when it comes to pedestrian veggies, though you recently taught me to like
Brussel Sprouts.
14.
You were blonde. Sometimes, you still are.
15.
For years, you worked on a “condo” made from a
large box that was stored in the garage of our friend Laura in Denver. It was
quite intricate, with wall paper, furniture and – oh yes – curtains. I would
never criticize your curtains as a guest in your home. That would be impolite.
16.
Your favorite books were “Good Night Moon,” and
“Where the Wild Things Are,” but you also loved Dr. Seuss, and anything that
had sounds, like “Smelly Jelly, Smelly Fish.”
17.
Your sister used to be merciless in her teasing.
I told her that when you were big enough to whip her tail, you would be best
friends. Moms are smart like that.
18.
I still have the ONLY Halloween costume I ever
made by hand since my favorite response to you and your sister, when you’d say,
“So?” was, “No I don’t.” Actually, I don’t. I do wish I still had your red felt
crab claws from the costume I made you when you were Sebastian in “Under the
Sea.”
19.
Costume boxes that started out for Halloween but
turned into so much more for you, Aaron and Gwen. It became a constant source
of amusement.
20.
I still have your derby hat from “Big Spender,”
and the leather one from your John Denver version of “Thank God I’m a Country
Boy” in the Aspen club shows.
21.
I still have your “Happy Feet” bejeweled neck tie
from the Silver Circle opening.
22.
I still have most of your collection of masks,
like the one you personally “negotiated” the price during a visit to Chicago
when we visited an international fair on Navy Pier. You were so proud of
yourself for haggling the price.
23.
I still never hang clothing on the rear hook in
the car behind the driver’s seat after I smashed the car on the way to Pueblo
Invitational. That was your second-ever competition. You got an ear infection
and were sick as a dog but you wanted to skate. I had been up with you all
night and we even stopped outside of Monument at a rest stop where you tossed
your cookies and I considered turning around. We stopped in Colorado Springs
looking for the old World Arena and I saw the International Center. Thinking it
was the arena, I parked and we went in to find out it was a convention
facility. As we were pulling out, we were hit by another car. It was
Valentine’s Day. When we got to Pueblo, I had to call Allen and tell him about
the accident, something that was not easy since he had roses delivered to our
hotel room. Funny that, all these years later, I now work next to that building
at The Broadmoor. I think about it every time I walk outside.
24.
Having you take me through my basic dance tests
was a highlight. I remember judge Virginia Mount watching stoically as we
skated by. You came just above my waist and it was everything she could do from
laughing – not at your ability, but at my lack thereof.
25.
Pueblo Invitational Solo Dance when you were
seven or eight. Aspen Skating Club competitors Gary and Ozzie were standing in
corners signaling “One Two Three – Four Five Six” as your dance coach Lisa
Warner and I sat on the floor laughing so hard we were crying because you
appeared to be dancing to music playing in another rink.
26.
Ice Dance and Pairs. Ice Dance and Pairs. I’m
happy you are still friends with at least one of those partners. I don’t know
how teams do it. I bow down to Meryl and Charlie, who we saw for the very first
time at Junior Olympics when they both were no bigger than a minute.
27.
Drives every weekend from Aspen to Colorado
Springs, then flights when Allen started working for the airlines so we could
get the benefits.
28.
Planes, trains and automobiles. Fighting over
map directions (pre GPS and Siri) and redefining “Terminal Entrance” when we
couldn’t get out of the airport in Philly on the way to Wissahickon.
29.
HSBC bag from Junior Nationals in Buffalo that
was redefined by Jack Courtney as “Holy S#!T Buffalo’s Cold” when we went from
warm to a foot of snow overnight. That was also the start of the now famous “Go
Alexander!”
30. People don't realize that you have an oh-so-not serious side that you graciously share with us. As you continue in your journey, do more of this.
We have been around the world and back; been to two Olympics and countless national and international competitions. It all happened because when you were four you saw Robin Cousins skate at a show in Aspen. That was the beginning of this amazing journey that is far from over. Thank you for that.
Happy Birthday, Jeremy. You are the SON-SHINE of my life.
Love, Mom
There is a fine line between perspective and truth. Unfortunately, we are seeing that in every aspect of our lives these days. Except for death and taxes, there is little else that is absolute truth; the rest is how you perceive it to be - it's your truth because you're living it. 
