Twenty-eight years ago today, April 22nd, I became a mother for the first time.
The events of the day are embedded in my brain, they always will be, but isn’t it the same for every woman? How could she ever forget a single detail of the day when she exchanges her life of singular, to include another little human who is totally dependent upon her?
From the very first moment when I laid eyes upon my first-born baby, my son, Ben, was the moment that I became instantly besotted by my pink, perfect, new-born little person.
And today, as Ben turned twenty-eight years of age, and I looked into those pale blue eyes of his, I realised as I have done so many times during those twenty-eight years that he still holds my heart in the palm of his hand. He always has, he always will.
On Ben’s birthday last year we didn’t have the opportunity to hug him tight as we wished him a happy birthday as he was in the U.S.A., spending the day doing one of the things he loves the most, listening to music at the three day annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Ben spent five weeks in the U.S.A. and even though he had previously travelled to Japan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, I think it would be safe to say that his trip to America was the trip of a lifetime. Ben loved the States, especially New York City, where he and his mates spent eight days and nights exploring the sites.
Ben arrived home telling us all that New York City is his favourite city in the world so far, so for his birthday, I thought I would begin to share just couple of photos that he has given me of his trip. I told him that I’m sure my friends overseas, who read my blog, would like to see the U.S.A. through the eyes of an Australian and I’m thrilled to bits that he is allowing me to share them with you!
I have a few of Ben’s photos to progressively show you all. Maybe even my American friends might see an area or two of their country that they haven’t explored themselves yet! There’s certainly an awful lot of Australia that I haven’t seen yet, in fact it’s surprising how travellers will often see more of a country than the locals do, as their intention is to travel and see as much as they can fit into the duration of their holiday.
Happy birthday my beautiful boy. ❤
In My World 
This blog post is a lovely birthday present.
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I’ll make a point of showing it to Ben one day, so he can see the comments. Thank you Sybil. 🙂
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Happy Birthday to Ben from the USA!
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Thank you so much Don! I’ll pass your message on to him. 🙂
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Yes, Happy Birthday, Ben! I see that Ben has your eye for photography, Joanne. 🙂 It’s so true that no child will tug at a mother’s heart in quite the same way as her firstborn does… My daughter shares Ben’s opinion of New York City – she lives there – but I find it overstimulating and overwhelming. But it IS fun to see my country through the eyes of an Australian, and I’ve never been to California. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more about Ben’s trip.
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I can hardly wait to show you Barbara, especially the swamp tour he went on. He has some really great photos (he invested in a good camera a few years ago) which surprised me in a way, as he doesn’t carry his camera with him everywhere like I do. He loved the USA so much and I think this love is reflected in the photos he came home with.
You confirmed for me what I had suspected about New York, as I thought Ben’s photos made it appear overwhelming. I wouldn’t mind visiting, just to say I had been there, but can’t imagine I would develop the feel for the city the way Ben has. 🙂
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Happy birthday, Ben!
This is a really sweet post for your son, Joanne. He is lucky to have a mom like you. I sure do understand being totally “besotted with my little pink person.” I’m in love with my 23-year-old daughter and have been since I learned that I was pregnant. Motherhood is a wonderful gift. ❤
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Thank you for the birthday wishes for Ben, Stacy. I agree with you, that motherhood is a wonderful gift, to me it’s the greatest gift in the world. 🙂
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Happy birthday to Ben!–You have a very handsome son.
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Thank you Sheryl. I think he’s very handsome, but I think I may also be a bit biased! 🙂
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I know I’m a bit late (so he’ll have to celebrate again)… Happy Birthday to Ben! I agree with Sheryl. You have a very handsome son. My youngest son (who will be 28 soon) is also a Taurus. In every way, I might add. 😉 I look forward to seeing more of the U.S. through Ben’s lens.
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We’ll be having another birthday dinner this week Robin (for me) so in a way he will be celebrating again. Thank you for the birthday wishes, I will pass them on to Ben. So your son can be stubborn too? 😉 I’ll be adding more of Ben’s New York photos this week. He took quite a few there as he was there for so long and really loved the city.
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Wiping away a couple of tears. What a lovely tribute to your boy! Smiled at that picture of the bull on Wall Street. My daughter took a picture of me there a couple of years ago! But what a unique angle his photo is. Happy belated birthday, Ben!
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Thank you Kathy. Ben surprised me with his very creative photos. He used to draw an awful lot, right up until he left school, so maybe it is his artistic side showing now through his photos. 🙂
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