28 years ago tonight I saw the Jazz Singer. How do I know? Because it was the night before my cute son Travis was born. Travis was born already having a best friend, Adam. Travis didn't really need to talk, because Adam always told me exactly what he wanted. So, Trav didn't talk early, BUT he walked at 8 1/2 months old and he hasn't stopped yet. Not when he broke his back, broke the growth plate in his toe and didn't tell me it hurt for a week (had to have surgery to repair), got pneumonia, got burned at the age of 6 months over 15% of his body, etc. etc. Yes, it seems everything big happened to Travis. He has a high tolerance of pain and never complained about any of it, however, if he said he hurt, I immediately called the Doctor.
He is the father of my darling granddaughter, Addison. SURPRISE, he is a fabulous loving daddy. He had surprised me at every turn with his devotion, helpfulness and love for this tiny gift from heaven.
Just look at the love and adoration in this face.
He married his true love, Natalie. They are crazy and have fun together. They also make plans for the future. They support and are loving toward each other in ways they don't even realize. On a recent trip, Natalie was so understanding when Travis went swimming and lost the keys to the rental car in the ocean. (That turned out to be an expensive swim.) But then, the next day when Natalie was sick at Disneyland, Trav left with her and stayed with her the entire day instead of returning to play with the rest of us.
I was so proud of Trav when he graduated from nursing school last year. He so enjoys working at Lakeview and McKay Dee in their emergency rooms. One of my finest moments as a mom was when a co-worker had been to the emergency room with her husband and told me what a fabulous job Trav did in taking care of him.
Trav loves his brother and dad. He loves to golf and ride motorcycles and support the Utes with them. Trav has never been a person who loves to be around a lot of people (thanks Papa). One trip to Oregon, we knew he was with us because the food was gone, but we didn't see a lot of Trav. He was reading The Work and the Glory books in his tent. (That was back in the days when everyone called him the prophet. I've never seen a kid so intent on reading scriptures an preparing for a mission.) On vacations as a kid, we'd go on a hike and never see Travis, he just couldn't wait for us slow people. Papa has loved his hikes up the back side of Timp and Angel's Landing in Zions.
I love Trav. As a young kid, he was the one I depended on to help me with everything. He never complains about a job to be done, just shows initiative to do it. He is his own person and doesn't need validation from anyone. He's ambitious, reliable, responsible, funny, and my joy. You're a good man, Charlie Brown. Happy Birthday.
Keith had ordered pizzas and Katie made an amazing ice cream cake. We ate dinner and watched the Utes lose in the NCAA game. Swimming was fun. We had the pool to ourselves, however, it was a little cool. The kids didn't seem to mind though. I think we ought to do this much more often. Thanks everyone for a wonderful celebration.
