the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the world trade center snuck up on us this year. to the country, this is a somber day of remembrance. to us, it's our son sawyer's birthday.

there are parents all over the country who have children either born on 9-11-01 or on the anniversary of it. sawyer was born on its third anniversary...three days before his due-date. i was worried about this. i fast forwarded in my mind to his second grade when he would be excited to share his birthday cupcakes with his classmates only to have to share his celebration with a school-wide assembly honoring those who died on the darkest day our country has experienced. of course i wonder how selfish it is of me for having such a worry...when so many people grieve personal loss on this day. the truth is this: as a parent, we want our children to feel special on their birthdays. even if it means celebrating when the country mourns.

i love what our friend ellen wrote on our blog the day we announced his birthday: "sawyer's birth stakes a claim for life and love on such a complicated day."

happy birthday little sawyer. you have brought so much to your mama and daddy's lives.