46 years ago I gave birth to Tom and Jim. My husband was in Vietnam. A radio operator was able to get in touch with him so I could talk to him from Bethesda Naval Hospital. Because of the time difference my husband, Tom Sr. was a little drunk and confused. We laughed about it later but his initial comment was "okay, I know who Tom Jr. is but who the hell is Jim's father." News of twins hadn't reached him yet.

That was October 1, 1967. Vietnam was a frightening war and unpopular. I was living with my parents in Arlington, VA. and riots in DC were prevalent against our presence there. We watched Bob Hope do his Christmas Show and wished that Tom was away from the DMZ and able to be there so we could have a glimpse. Unfortunately, no such luck.

Despite good sense advice from my parent's and Tom's I was determined to take the boys to Hawaii the end of January first of February. Tom was supposed to get a week of R and R there and I wanted to take any opportunity to allow him to see his sons before he returned to war. The Tet Offensive was underway. When I flew out of DC with the boys I had no idea if he would be able to meet us in Hawaii.

Thankfully, he did and he recognized each of his little "tigers" as he called them from the many pictures and tapes I had sent of them gooing and cooing.

Today I celebrate the boys birthday and the day they first met their dad. If he had died in the war they may not have remembered him but he would have always had the cherished memory of meeting them.

Life as a family has taken detours and challenges over the years. It was a true blessing this past June when my ex husband and his beautiful wife Erline, David and I all got to congratulate our granddaughter Hope on her High School graduation.

Life truly is an adventure and if you take time to notice the blessings along the way it is truly wonderful.

Happy Birthday Thomas John McKay Jr., and James Edward McKay. I am thrilled to be your Mom.