24 years ago today

24 Years ago, on this 11th day of August...

I gave birth to the most awesome little boy...

Then, and never before then did I understand

love that I would give my life for.

It seems like so long ago and yet

it seems like it was just yesterday.

Reading back on a journal entry I wrote to Roddie

on December 11, 1985

A quote I wanted him to always remember

as he grew to be the man he is today.

GO PLACIDLY AMID THE NOISE AND HASTE

AND REMEMBER WHAT PEACE THERE

MAY BE IN SILENCE.

YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE

NO LESS THAN THE TREES AND THE STARS.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE.

WHATEVER YOUR LABORS AND ASPIRATIONS

IN THE NOISY CONFUSION OF LIFE,

KEEP PEACE WITH YOUR SOUL.

WITH ALL ITS SHAM, DRUDGERY,

AND BROKEN DREAMS;

IT IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.

STRIVE TO BE HAPPY- IF YOU COMPARE YOURSELF

WITH OTHERS, YOU WILL BECOME VAIN AND BITTER.

ENJOY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS,

KEEP INTERESTED IN YOUR OWN CAREER,

HOWEVER HUMBLE.

DON'T BE CYNICAL ABOUT LOVE,

BECAUSE IN THE FACE OF

ARIDITY AND DISENCHANTMENT,

IT IS AS PERENNIAL AS THE GRASS.

NURTURE STRENGTH OF SPIRIT

TO SHIELD YOU IN MISFORTUNE.

joan collins

And today I find myself wanting to share the same

advice I wrote to him when he was only

4 months old

and to add my own words:

Forever in this world, the next world,

eternity and beyond,

forever, forever will your Mother love you!

Happy Birthday, Roddie John

Love, Mommy