June 14th, "Flag Day", Another Birthday for Billy...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

As I contemplate the life of our son, Billy, over the past 25 years, I am both astounded by where he has come, and overcome with nostalgia over the adorable little boy that he was. Billy was born on Flag Day, June 14th, 1984 in the small eastern New Mexico town of Raton, New Mexico. He wasn't supposed to enter this world for another two weeks, but he must have been in a hurry to get here, yet hesitatant at the same time, because he was born 2 weeks early and the labor was over 24 hours long! As I reflect, it seems to me that he was perfectly aware of what would lie ahead for him in his life.

His first birthday was celebrated in Raton and we took him down to the City Hall, where they "planted" flags for all of their lost Veterans in various wars on the front lawn. It was a wonderful Kodak moment!

Shortly after his first birthday, we moved back to Taos, New Mexico and into the home that we had built there 3 years earlier. Billy had lots of room to grow on our 2 1/2 acres on the mesa.

His formative years growing up were divided between New Mexico, Utah and California, culminating with a "reunion" of mom and dad in Oregon. All of these life's experiences have shaped Billy and given him deep inner feelings of introspection.

As Billy grew, he discovered that he had a love for music and has expressed himself in several different genre's, including rock, blues, jazz, and a little dabbling with the classics. He picked up a guitar at the age of 12 and "flew with it" from there. Since that early beginning, he has self-taught himself to play drums (several different kinds), clarinet, piano (keyboard), saxaphone, upright bass, and his latest love, cello. Music is in his head and his heart and he is devoting his current life to the expression of his inner music and sharing it with the world.

Billy won't be home for his birthday, because he is currently on the road somewhere in Wyoming or Montana, heading up to Glacier National Park. We will see him next weekend, when he ends his tour in Portland and comes home after that performance.

Happy Birthday, Son. We love you and hope all of your dreams reach their ultimate conclusion in your life. Remember "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -------------- MOM and DAD