Happy Birthday, Damius

by Author Russ Ray

Happy Birthday 25th to my oldest son, Damius.

While growing up he was patient with me. For almost all of his life I brought work home with me. I had a home office starting when he was two years old. That’s about the time Diego showed up. Damius was a very good big brother. I was a single dad and he helped me sort all of our lives out.

He watched me cook then he learned how to do it himself. He taught himself how to work on cars (I was definitely no help with that).

I had him by myself for three years. Diego was there, too, so I can’t say we were alone. There are so many beautiful memories I have of him as a child.

He had dreams and goals back then. Rather than talk about them, he got after them. He has an Honorable Discharge from the Army. He graduated from the University of Colorado. He made being a father so easy for me.

Now that he is grown I can’t say that I enjoy his company more, because I have always enjoyed his company. Now that he is an adult, he doesn’t need anything from me - not that he ever needed much from me anyway.

Thank you for being such a good child and for being such a good man. I love you.