Today, my son turned 16. Sixteen years. 192 months. 5,843 days.

Take a moment.

Breathe.

For those of you who have been a part of my journey from the beginning, that means you have known Sonny-Bunny turned Teen Boy for a decade.

A decade. Ten years. 120 months. 3652 days.

Countless breaths. Some held in hope. Some exhaled in frustration. Still trying to catch my breath.

All for a boy born a little small but who now stands over his dad. How does a mom capture her thoughts about her only son?

She can't. Well, at least I can't.

All I can say is that my life changed 16 years ago today. It would be trite to say my life is changed for the better. Those words would blanch in the face of the size and scope of how he has impacted my life.

Yes, my life is better. I am better. My family is better. The world is better.

So thank you, son, for crashing into my little universe like a meteor. With every earthquake, tsunami or other traumatic change shifted the continents, creating our planet as we know it. So much beauty and immeasurable love are in my life because of you and I can't imagine my world without you shaping it. I wouldn't want to.