A cake made by my niece, also named Amber, for her daughter several years ago. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
FEBRUARY BRINGS NOT ONLY the dreaded time of year when I must prepare information for the tax preparer. But it, thankfully, also brings joy as two of my three now grown children celebrate birthdays. Today and tomorrow.
Amber at six months old. File photo.
Eight years apart in age, Amber and Caleb are at two distinctly different points in their lives. Amber is well-settled into married life and life as a mom to Izzy, nearly two. Caleb lives with several other guys in a greater Boston apartment and is just beginning his career in technology.
With nearly 1,400 miles separating my oldest and youngest and with their sister living in between in eastern Wisconsin, we manage to gather as a family about once a year—the last time for a family reunion in August. I don’t like that such distances separate us. But it is our reality and we rely on technology to stay connected.
Caleb at 1 1/2 days old. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
When I think back on the connection between my eldest daughter and her brother, I smile. From the day I came home from the hospital with my 10 lb., 12 oz. bruiser baby boy, Amber doted on him. She was at the perfect age to embrace a baby. Later Amber assumed the role of teacher, teaching Caleb his numbers, the alphabet and more. She read books to him, too, and simply loved on her brother.
Caleb and Amber. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo August 2017.
That love still shines strong. When I observe the two of them together, I see the depth of love they hold for each other in the gentle teasing, the arm draped across the shoulder, the warm hugs. Amber has been there for her brother, always, whether working a puzzle with him at age four or flying across the country to Boston years later.
I see in Caleb an admiration for his sister, a genuine desire to spend time with her when he’s back in Minnesota. I note him bonding with his niece. When I see Caleb holding Isabelle and reading to her, my mama’s heart overflows with love. Love is coming full circle.
On these two February days, the ninth and the tenth, I celebrate Amber and Caleb. I have watched them grow into two loving, caring and strong individuals. I am honored to be their mom. While geographical distance separates us, love keeps us close. For that I am grateful.
Amber at three months. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Happy birthday, Amber!
One of my all-time favorite photos of my son at age five. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Happy birthday, Caleb!
I love you both more than pizza. And, yes, that is an inside-the-family saying.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
happy Birthday to your two wonderful children with February birthdays. Love the throw back pictures–there is nothing like seeing your kids grow up and have their own lives to make you realize the extent of the role of mom. 🙂
That’s for sure. And our roles don’t end just because they are gone and out on their own.
Sweetness…….joyful and bittersweet—–growing up is inevitable (or is it ‘growing older’??? LOL!)
Time has a way of zipping past.
Happy birthday to your big babies! God bless them both!
Thank you for those birthday blessings for my two celebrating February birthdays.
Fun photos. Great memories. Happy Birthday to them both.
Our youngest son was 9# 4 oz…
That’s a big baby, too. Amber weighed 9 lbs, 7 oz.
Ahhh what tender loving words for your sweet children. I wish for you that you could all be together more often, I know your mamma heart longs for that, but I also know that you have sprung them to do what their hearts desires. Happy Birthday to your dear Amber and Caleb. 🙂
Thanks for your birthday wishes, Jackie. Yes, I wish we could be together more. But since we can’t, I delight in the times that we are. And technology helps a lot to keep us connected.
Thank you for the birthday wishes!
You’re welcome, Amber. I love you!
Happy Birthday Amber and Caleb. I enjoyed this post Audrey. Have a good weekend.
I intend to have a good weekend with my birthday girl daughter, her husband and their daughter (my sweet grandbaby).
Your children are doing well… and are happy. Those are wonderful things to know. I know your heart yearns to see them more, but oh how thankful we can be for today’s technology, connecting those who are distant in miles.
I think how difficult it must have been for those immigrants who crossed the ocean, never to see their families again. And how difficult for those families. Still today.
What beautiful children (and adults) and sweet memories. Happy Birthday Amber and Caleb!
Thank you.
Lovely tribute to both children-hope they get to read it. I particularly liked the brother/sister photo. And that cake looks delicious! .
Amber read it and commented. Caleb, I doubt it as he seldom reads my blog.
My niece Amber creates the most delicious, healthy food. I can’t recall the recipe for the cake pictured here. But for her youngest son, she made a carrot cake. And he stuck raw carrot sticks into the frosting. I blogged about that.
Happy belated birthday to your children.
Thank you.