For those who haven't followed me before. My son Zachary passed away in 2009. Since then, on his birthday I write what I believe would have happened on that day. It helps with my grief and keeps me close to my son.
It's early morning and Mike and I can hear the pitter patter of busy feet upstairs. We smile at each other knowing that soon Zachary will be coming down the stairs with Carlos close behind. What we don't know is what he will be wearing today.
Carlos suddenly plops down the steps on his butt, greeting us with a big smile and wearing a towel wrapped around his neck. Right behind him, wearing nothing but a brown towel around his neck, barbie sunglasses with the lenses popped out and dinosaur underwear is Zach. "Mom, Carlos doesn't play right. Make him play right." It seems that since watching Harry Potter last week, Zach has been enthralled with all things relating to the movie and has taken to dressing like Harry which today seems to require his sisters sunglasses and towels.
Even though I know exactly what my son means I feign ignorance. This makes Zach pause and look at me as if I am a young, deaf, foreigner. "He-doesn't-play-right." He grabs two straws tucked in his underwear and gives one to Carlos. "Okay. You are Malfoy.When I throw a spell at you duck and try and throw one back at me." Carlos takes the straw and smiles from his brother to me. Zachary is the picture of concentration at this point. He points his straw at Carlos and yells, "Stupefy!" Carlos jumps up and down and chases Zach with the straw placed squarely between his lips. When he reaches him he drops the straw and kisses him on the hand and chest before running away. "No, Carlos. You are supposed to be stupefied! Stop kissing me."
Mike can see Zach is about to reach his breaking point and picks up Carlos' straw. "Maybe I could do a better job at this game, son, since I am from the House of Slitherin." Zach's mouth opens in shock. "You are!" Mike nods knowingly. "Yes, so prepare to be beaten." Zach runs to the corner of the room and points his "wand" at his father and yells. "Stupefy" Mike writhes in agony and is suddenly frozen but manages through gritted teeth to yell out. "Tarantellegra!" Zach, who has taken cover behind a chair stands up slowly. "What's that spell?" he asks his father.
"It's a spell that makes you dance." I say. "And he got you fair and square." Zach smiles and runs to me and begins to dance around his petrified father. He then picks up his wand and points it at me. "Tarantellegra!" Suddenly, I start dancing wildly around his father with him. Both of us giggling. Soon, the poor excuse for a Malfoy, Gigi, Beau, Eva and even Golden are jerking, giggling and dancing around dad.
"If you release daddy we will give you your present." I say. Zach releases him eager to move on with the present portion of the morning and Mike makes a good show of becoming un-petrified. When we are all huddled around Zach, Mike hands him the very tiny box which Zach eyes curiously. Slowly he opens it only to find a small card inside with a magnetic strip. "What is it?" he asks.
Golden can't keep the secret any longer. "It's a ticket to Harry Potter World in Orlando!" Now Zach looks like he has been stupefied. He barely moves for half a minute before breaking out in a loud roar. "Oh Wow! Really? When? Really?" Mike puts him on his lap. How does today sound, son? Or would you rather we wait?
Zach jumps down and runs to the door. "Let's go! I'm going to get a wand first. No. First I'm going to the candy store. No. The rides first…"
We can't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. It was just the reaction we were hoping for. He is such a good boy that I would give him the moon if he asked for it. But today a car ride is all he needs to keep him smiling for a good several months and that is all a parent could ask for. "First, shouldn't you put on some pants, baby." I say picking him up in my arms and wondering how much longer before I can't do this anymore. He grabs both sides of my face and kisses me from one side to the other. "I love you so much mommy! This is the best birthday ever." I pull him in close and take in his sweet smell. I can never get enough of this boy. "I love you beyond words my sweet boy!" I reply finding it hard not to hold back tears thinking how complete my life is with him in it.
Happy Birthday Zachary, Love Mami
