Did I just hear someone say that parenting is full of heartache and joy?
Oh, maybe not because, after all, I am in my room alone. I guess my thoughts are loud and overbearing.
Anyway, the good thing about today is, it’s my handsome, intelligent, wonderful, loving son’s birthday! Today God has so fit to bless him to see lucky 19, and I can’t wait to wrap my arms around him and give him the biggest hug. The not-so-good news is that hug will have to wait for three more long weeks.
When I talked to my birthday boy yesterday, he was sitting in his dorm room and feeling a little down. He told me this birthday feels off because he isn’t with his family. Unfortunately, this is his first of many birthdays that will be celebrated at college. However, my mission is to make him feel like we are with him.
So to make that feeling happen, we’ll Facetime him when his cake and birthday presents arrive. I’m going to fight like hell to hold it together on the phone tonight because I know he’s struggling worse than me.
The joys of parenting
Watching them become independent, productive humans is the best part of life. There isn’t anything they can do to make me walk away from them. The sun rises and sets on them!
The heartaches of parenting
Being away from my kids hurt; I can’t even put my emotions into words at this time. My heart belongs to them.
This Friday, I’m looking after myself by looking after my son. Happy Birthday, Baby Boy; I love you with all my heart and soul.


I would love to hear how all of you are looking after yourselves.
You could have chosen any blog to read, but you chose mine, and I’m honored!
~Belladonna~



Awwhh 🤗🤗 Have fun Facetiming and hope he enjoys his cake! 😉😊
LikeLike
Thank you! It turned a out to be a great day for him 😍
LikeLike
😊😊
LikeLike
Happy birthday to your “baby!” They will always be our babies, even after they have their own 💝💝💝💝💝
LikeLike
They sure will! Thank you Paula🤍
LikeLike
🌸
LikeLike
Oh, my Belladonna, I totally get you. It’s always hard to be separated from our kids, especially during their birthdays, holidays, and family events, but we hold it together for them! College is temporary and so worth it. Happy birthday to your lovely boy, hold on to the knowledge that you’ll be hugging him soon and spending time enjoying his stories about college! Hugs, C
LikeLike
It’s definitely hard and he looked so sad when we FaceTimed him but when I saw him finally smile my heart melted. It’s definitely hard to be away from each other on all days especially holidays. 🥹
Geesh!!!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to your son. Hope the next three weeks fly for you.💕
LikeLike
Thank you so much!!!!
LikeLike
My pleasure 💕
LikeLike
Awwww, how sweet Belladonna! Happy Birthday to your Baby Boy! 🥳🎂🎉🎈🎁 Three weeks will zip before you know it. 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️
LikeLike
I hope so!!! Thank you Kym🤍🤍🤍
LikeLike
Oh girlfriend, it’s my pleasure! Cheers! 🥂🍾💖🍸🥃
LikeLike
A very happy birthday to him! I’m not a parent but I know it can’t be easy not being with your kids but unfortunately that’s life.
LikeLike
Yeah it’s hard but I’m grateful for our time we spend together. Thank you Pooja🤍🤍🤍
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to him. What is your son’s major in college? Are you in California or Virginia or do I have you confused with someone else?
LikeLike
This is his first year and it may change but he’s intersected in engineering. Neither but there are a good number of bloggers from California.
LikeLike
Great future in engineering. Wishing you all the best.
LikeLike
Yes it sure is, so we will see what happens. Thank you and I hope you’re having a great weekend.
LikeLike
We are. Very peaceful.
LikeLike
Amen!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to your Baby Boy! He is so handsome and sweet!
Thank’s for share! Congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Elvira!!!
LikeLike
You are welcome dear Belladonna!
LikeLike
Aww, what a great mom. Hang in there Belladonna! And be proud that you’ve brought up a son who wants to spend time with family … pretty cool. (I know I never take that for granted.) Finally, happy birthday to your son, hope it turns out to be a great day!
LikeLike
Thank you Brian!! I’m so happy that he loves his family time. 😍😍😍
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to your handsome young man! I pray he’s blessed to see many many many more!
I am looking after myself tonight by reading, enjoying the scent of my lavender candle, and resting my body before another day’s work and errands-running tomorrow.
Happy weekend, Bella!
LikeLike
Thank you Tre!!!!
Oh that sounds like a nice and relaxing evening🤍 I hope you’re having a great weekend
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
Yes, ma’am! So far, so good! Thank you.
LikeLike
Good!!!!
LikeLike
A very happy birthday to your son. I hope when you meet him, you celebrate it with full gusto.
LikeLike
Thank you!!!! We sure will 😍😍😍😍
LikeLike
You’re most welcome
LikeLike
Don’t make me cry Momma Belladonna! Heartfelt writing. 💗 You’re a beautiful role model. Happy birthday to your son! 🎂 Having independent children is a blessing but it sure is hard to be away from them. Facetime is a blessing!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Michele!! They definitely had my heart since day 1. It’s so hard being away from them and you’re so right FaceTime is our saving Grace ♥️♥️♥️
LikeLike
💞
LikeLike
You are a caring mom!!
LikeLike
Thank you 😊 I love my babes
LikeLike
Happy birthday to your son! Good job Momma in taking such good care of your beautiful babies.🎂🎉🤗💚
LikeLike
Thank you and right back at you 🤍🤍🤍
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to your baby boy
God’s protection, peace, love, joy, blessings and other provisions be his portion. 🙌🏾
LikeLike
Amen!!! Thank you so much for that 🤍
LikeLike
You have a wonderful talent for telling your story, both the joy, and the heartache, which always inspires me, Belladonna. I love this post. A big happy birthday to your son! Have a gorgeous weekend, my friend. 💖
LikeLike
Awww Jeff that is so nice of you to say! Thank you so much 😍🤍🤍
LikeLike
You’re most welcome, Belladonna! Always. 🤍🤗🤍
LikeLike
Happy birthday to your son!
LikeLike
Thank you😍
LikeLike
Dearest Bella, Sorry for the late comments but do convey my belated Happy birthday to your son. 🍰🍰🍰🍫🍫🍫🍫🎂🎂🎂
LikeLike
You’re so sweet! Thank you Aparna 🤍
LikeLike
Awwww…what a great parent you are,that sees all in parenting a responsibility and not a frustration….
Cheers to a new age for your boy…
LikeLike
Thank you!!! Parenting is the best thing for me.
LikeLike
It is scary sometimes dear Belladonna. I have four children and six grandchildren. I pray they are wise and they are safe. When we become parent. We become many. Our heart, forever connected to our children and our grandchildren.
LikeLike
Jonh I bet you are the best grandpa ever! I can ust feel it.
LikeLike
I worry for the USA. Most mass killings in the month of January this year. I don’t understand dear Belladonna. I have a hand-gun for self defense. I don’t need a automatic weapon. Automatic weapons are made to kill. I pray our children can be safe. I try to be a good grandfather. Now I have six. I need nametags.
LikeLike
Yes we all need to pray and vote!!
LOL nametags. I love it!!!!
LikeLike
Last election. Our vote didn’t matter. Same people in congress. Time for the old dream. Less government. Allow states to run themselves. We need to vote but we live in a society who want everything for free dear Belladonna. Everything had a payment.
LikeLike
John I so agree with you. It’s always the same ole thing year after year. So frustrating
LikeLike
Where I live. Single mothers are struggling. At least Trump gave money to the mothers and the family. I know three women with children. May lose their home. Time to assist the poor. Low wages and high prices. Making living, difficult for many. I have cut back. Easy for me and wife. Children have needs.
LikeLike
There are so many stories that break your heart. Prices are soaring and wages are dropping. The cost of living is insane!
LikeLike
They must help the poor dear Belladonna. Biden and the leaders in Washington D.C. need to create jobs and ensure every child, every person have food, shelter and opportunity. Republicans seeking new way to tax the rich less and Biden hired 87,000 tax collectors. Been released, thank you. Time for us to stand as a demonstration for the people. All people. Few people listen to Martin Luther King Jr. speeches. He told us. Poor black men and poor white men dying for the rich men in Vietnam. The world is the same my friend.
LikeLike
Lovely post ..🤍
Happy late birthday to your son 🎉
LikeLike
Thank you so much!!!!! I appreciate that
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to your baby.
LikeLike
Thank you 😊
LikeLike
A birthday celebration via FaceTime. What a great idea!
LikeLike
It worked out great! We sang to him and his smile was so beautiful 😊
LikeLike
How sweet!!
LikeLike
Thank you 😍
LikeLike
It’s heartwarming to hear how much you love and care for your son, even when you can’t be with him on his special day. It’s true that parenting comes with its ups and downs, but it’s moments like these that make it all worth it. Your dedication to making your son feel loved and supported, even from a distance, is a testament to the deep bond between a parent and child. I hope your Facetime call tonight brings you both some joy and comfort. Happy birthday to your son!
LikeLike
Thank you so much!!!! I love that kid and it was tough not to be able to shower him with hugs and kisses but he’ll be home this Friday for spring break. So we can celebrate in real life 😍😍😍😍😍
LikeLike