For the most part many of us have heard parenting stories; and then at one time we ourselves were children too; yet to understand the joy that fills the heart and colors ones life is really hard to describe.
The anticipation of waiting for your arrival kept us on our toes. You were coming home! You had been with us for the last nine months but now we were going to hold you. Your arrival would change our world and mostly change myself and your dad.
I so loved holding you, feeding you, changing your diaper and bathing you. I loved playing with you and I just so loved being around you.
You were a gentle child, and eager to move and do. Never one to sit around. Discovering your world and always eager to try new things -with a smile.
Oh! I remember this day… I was cleaning around the house and just loaded the washing machine with dishes. You – Geordan, wearing your little red hat and holding your sippy cup… while in front of the dishwasher you began dancing to the white noise of the machine. All the while, smiling and giggling, spinning and returning to see your image reflect back at yourself.
Before you turned 2 your dad insisted we visit Europe to his town in Czech Republic, while there we stayed at your great grandpa’s cottage; you loved swimming in the river down in the valley and played in the same wood shed your father played in when he was your age.
What would be a visit to Disney World in Orlando Florida without making sure you got the Mickey hat? That’s right, plus we couldn’t leave without making sure you rode on the Dumbo ride! Looking at that little outfit I now remembered how I loved folding your little boy clothes.
Geordan, this was the day when we took you out to eat your first ice cream at Carvel. You looked so cute with your baseball hat flipped back and your little cheeks all poofed out as you tasted the cold ice cream and of-course the ice cream was so big you had ice cream on the tip of your nose and dripping from your chin. sooo cute! I could eat you up!!
Your first field trip, this was the first time you’d ever been on a school bus… my little gem. This reminds me when you came home from school singing the ‘bunny foo foo song – who got popped in the head’, you sang it so cute I kept asking you to sing it for me. I so loved watching you do bunny ears with your hand and then pop your hands together to make ‘bunny foo foo’ go away.
Can I bring that day back?
Then we were invited to Donna and Randy’s wedding (our neighbors) and this was the first time you were in a suit “just like daddy”; oh how my heart smiled to see your smile.
Every Halloween we’d gather with our friends and have a Halloween dinner party and then go out ‘Trick or Treating’. You always loved dressing up and role playing your character to the fullest! 
…and then there was the Karate Kid phase. This was the same time you joined the swimming team and the guitar lessons. I think you wanted to try everything! It seems you soon realized there was only one of you – so many choices, so little time!
Perhaps every family has a Marlene – you know that special aunt that will pull you out to dance. You never let her down. Then again, island people love to dance and this my son… a gift from me to you.
Geordan, if there is one thing you know about your dad… if he had all the time in the world he would spend it playing with you.
So off to Disney World we go again, this time I couldn’t pass up the chance to ask you to pose with Mickey himself, and like a perfect son… you were always so good as to allow me to be a doting mom. Thank you for giving me this memory.
You know your dad is not a “sport fanatic”, but I insisted you have the experience of going to a baseball game… I was so glad when your uncle Frankie invited us along, we had such a great time! We ate hot dogs and popcorn, we stomped our feet to “let’s go out to the ball game”, we got rained on and laughed, giggled and enjoyed ourselves even if the Marlins didn’t win.
You had a chance to experience snow for the first time and build a snow man on your second visit to your grandma Blanka in Czech Republic. This was the time when you gave your dad the scare of his life at the Carpathian Mountain range – he thought you were going to fall over the edge and down the steep precipice. I guess we can attribute a few of those gray hairs on his head to that day.
I know that the next few years were a bit stressful… after leaving the Police Force I felt like I needed to fill a void in my life and help bring income to the household. These were some tough years and looking back, I wish I had not spread myself so thin… I love you Geordan.
Despite all that… your dad always supported me in my ventures and the good part is the business took us all across the United States. Here you are at Fire Canyon in Nevada… wasn’t this the time when you and your dad forgot to bring WATER?
Then we drove up to Arizona and took in that amazing view of the Grand Canyon. Remember, we drove so high up we ran into a hail storm…and there was snow on the ground!
We also traveled to Georgia and visited Stone Mountain, what a view, we were in the clouds!;
Remember our visit to the Island of Puerto Rico we walked around ‘El Morro’.
Then we did the big MOVE. Your last year of Junior High…George was worried about the economy, he was frustrated that we lived on a busy street, he was worried that the High School was not the best for HIS son. This was the summer we moved to Central Florida. Away from all that we knew as comfort. Away from our friends, and families. Away from our parks and our favorite beach. This was tough. Tough for all of us. You are so brave son. I love you.
Can’t believe that after all these years it is NOW that you tell me how awkward it was for you going through your growing pains.
It’s no secret son, we all went through that too.
And then we adjust.
Our little get away to the Bahamas was so timely, staying at the Atlantis was wonderful! We swam with the dolphins and you had your first spa experience- I laugh every time I recall how you told me your dad was running you both like a drill: 2 minutes sauna, 2 minutes steam room, 2 minutes jacuzzi – repeat!! No wonder you cringe when I suggest a spa retreat!
We all begin to find our way… you made new friends and kept in touch with old friends; all the while we tried to find ourselves through the chaos.
You have a big heart son, and a great ability to be a quiet strength for your friends.
I’ve learned Geordan, that- we should NEVER let a bad financial situation get in the way of OUR love for our family. When you keep God in your heart you will find an immense Love that you will weather all the storms of your life.
OH, I was so happy that you could take this picture in front of the San Francisco bridge in California…only because years ago when I was with the Metro-Dade Police Department I had traveled out there for a conference and took a picture right there on that same spot. Remember the awesome scenery of the Pacific Coast when we drove down Highway 1 and how your dad had to stop and take a picture every 15 minutes? (well we have the pictures for sure!)
I can never explain to anyone how special you are… I mean, here you are attending a ‘Get Motivated’ Seminar with a group from our nonprofit -The Helpful Hands Foundation. I mean how cool is that!? Either you really love being around your parents … or there was some mention of dining out.
Remember the corn maize? …and like the first thing you did was run off so we could find you. Like, really Geordan? (That’s my son!)
When I was a kid, papa and mama made our Christmas magical. Then I left home and for a decade the magic left my life until I met your dad. Your dad LOVES Christmas, usually once August enters he begins singing Christmas songs. I hope you always keep Christmas in your heart.
Again, you are an amazing person Geordan. Most teenagers don’t even want to be seen with their parents and you are so cool with us. Here we are… dragging you with us to “fire walk” at a Tony Robbins seminar. I suppose after fire-walking everything else seems a cake walk for you.
and of course… then there was the visit to the island of Dominican Republic to visit grandpa; Papa was always a jokester…and I know you will forever remember all those silly moments you two shared. His stories, his gestures… Geordan mostly always remember his love for you.
The picture of you cutting the grass brings back sweet memories. Geordan I believe your dad doesn’t want to let you go… he wants to keep you a little boy. Yet, he quietly fills up with pride when you take the initiative on trying things. I remember this day when you wanted to cut the grass on the ‘skag’ and he felt that it was too hard and tough for you to maneuver. Then, BaM! You jumped on, took the handles and off you went.
How special is it to be the FAVORITE grandson? For that matter you know you are my favorite son…and for that matter their only grandson.
I really like this picture of you and your grandparents. I so will miss seeing papa in our pictures, please remember that all your grandparents love you and want the best for you.
Geordan, I’ve learned in life that we can sit there and make plans and goals… but God has greater plans for us. As we move through life’s journey we need to live with a loving heart, and have total faith that God’s Divine plan is working in our life.
So, when things get crazy in your life, stop what you are doing and go for a very long walk with nature or spend a day on the beach and listen to the ocean. Remember that you are a light source emanating from God’s eternal ray. Being part of God, you are one with God. Let go your problems and surf the storm, soon you will be watching the sun rise and the storm will be behind you.
As I look at this next picture of you and your dad… oh how many talks I had with your dad about what I wanted to get you for your 18th birthday… A CAR. 
Remember when we were living in Fort Lauderdale and I would let you and Zach drive the car in front of Floranada Elementary School? How old were you? 10, 11, 12? Yup, just leave it to your mom.
At sixteen all your friends were talking about getting their Driver’s License and I encouraged you to go ahead with it. I’m so glad you did. Sheez, and now you zip all over the place… I remember your first road trip to the PAX Convention in Boston with your friends. I was in constant prayer until you got home, and very thankful that God brought you back safe. …and that you had a great time too!
The high school years went by in a flash… I know there were some tough moments for you and us going through a financial hardship didn’t help any. I am so grateful that you stuck through it and more grateful that you had good friends to encourage your success. Thank you Bruno.
I was so happy that mama and papa were visiting Florida and had a chance to be with you on your graduation day.
Graduation day… was a big day, it is by far not the biggest day. For me the big day was when you told me that you wanted to tie your shoe lace by yourself, you were six. It almost broke my heart to think that I was no longer needed to do such a simple thing for you. Then, just as soon as you had mastered your shoe lace tying… ‘velcro’ was the ‘in-thing’ for sneakers.
I don’t know how going to “The Melting Pot” became a tradition on your birthday… but it has. I’ve noticed one thing about me and your dad… once we find something you like, we will beat it til it’s dead or… until you tell us to stop. We will do anything for that smile of yours. God only gave us one son… we have tried to instill in you good values and culture, mostly we have just wanted to love you. Along the way we could not help but to want to give you everything we could within our means, it’s not that we wanted you to not have the want for things… we just didn’t know any better.
Family is very important to us, and even though God only gave us one son it does not make us three any less of a family- it makes us a great family. One with the love of God, care for each other and our community.
You looked so handsome at your cousins Ariana sweet sixteen. What a smile! I know angels sing when you smile.
Despite that your dad is an only son too… I bring to you my two brothers who love you dearly -their only nephew. Did I say you are their ‘favorite’ nephew?
I remember this day at Edwin and Marlene’s wedding vow renewal… Edwin was showing you some ‘dance’ moves on the dance floor.
Geordan, remember I said… we make plans and then God plans our life? Well, we moved again.
These next few years were quite interesting, I felt like we were stumbling forward. While your friends were off to college you chose to take a hiatus from studies. Hanging out with friends, going to the beach and well …like, learning how to replace your tires.
In November 2011 we drove to New Jersey to visit George’s friend Lubos for Thanksgiving.
While we were up north we drove into New York to visit the Museum of Natural History because I insisted that you HAD HAD HAD to see it. Since, of course I am a New Yorker and had been to the Museum of Natural History you HAD to visit it too, and see the Big Blue Whale hanging off the ceiling. We even caught a concert at Carnegie Hall.
Geordan, you have a love for nature and you are gentle with animals; animals love you too. Remember to always nourish this side of you… it will keep you grounded about what is important in life.
You came out of your hiatus and started college, it seemed that as you began discovering yourself… your academic interest began to evolve with you.
I never knew that at age 50 I’d be raising chickens and feeding cows. Learning how to garden and canning food. I don’t know if life slowed down or sped up… I just knew that under the Grace of God I was blessed with a caring husband and a gentle son.
You keep an eclectic group of friends… it seems everyone is trying to find there way.
The next few years I continued to watch you grow… if I had to compare you to any flower you would be an orchid. The orchid will display the green leaves for a very long time and then when you least expect it… the flowers bloom.
In 2011 we acquired our kitty Ms Helen.
She is a perfect Raisler cat (I would say Daisy cat)- she’s cute and independent. Your favorite thing to do is the “Ms Helen close up view”… why? I don’t ask anymore.
Geordan, I want to thank you for your never ending patience with your dad. I personally have enjoyed having your help when ever you made yourself available. I know that if I ever need your help I can count on it.
As for your dad… I think it is normal for men or perhaps ‘dads’ to have greater expectations of their sons. 
I think it’s because dad’s are preparing their sons for what society expects of them… to be leaders, fathers and contributors to society.
It’s a big burden and responsibility to be a dad… to raise their son who one day will also be a dad.
I think dads see a son like a travel bag… they want to make sure all the good tools are in there. George is no different, he wants to make sure that when you find yourself in a pickle, that you can pull out one of the many tools (lessons) he placed there inside of you.
Here we have you and Ms Helen December of 2012. One of your favorite things to do… hold “kiTTy”. ‘bad kitty’.
Geordan, remember that camping trip with your friends back in December of 2012? I think you boys went camping on the coldest day of the year… and then it rained… right? oh.. and that was the camping trip where you needed to ferry out to the camping ground. You got there before the last ferry went out and one of you forgot to bring the food? Those are the best memories! I’m glad you had a chance to create them.
2013… a year we all wont forget too soon. You turned 20 … and here we are again at The Melting Pot wondering where are the years going?
How can I show this beautiful human being how much I love him?
Sometimes I think George and I have so much Love for you Geordan -our son- that we are going to blow up in a cascade of shiny hearts. (George, thank you for being there with me in sharing such beautiful love with our son)
Geordan, remember the adventure with Green Dean from Eat the Weeds? At least I know if you go camping again you wont starve! 
What about the big gift… maybe one day soon it will be finished.
You may not appreciate it today, but sometime in the future should you find yourself needing to use a hammer, a drill or a shovel… these simple tools wont scare you.
Most important you will forever remember your dad and thank him profusely for not giving up on you when all you wanted to do was play online with your friends… it may not seem like much today but in a not so distant future the skills your father is teaching you (hard work and discipline do pay off)… instead of you running to call a specialist, at that moment you will find out how capable you are indeed.
Your friends may not say it… but I will: Geordan, you are a good friend. Come on! What other person will give their head up for testing?? Then again… even if you were bald you’d be good looking. (I know, an ugly duckling is the most beautiful duck to its mother… but in my case it’s different! You can’t help yourself, you ARE good looking!)
Then there is the story of Mr. Chubs and Mittens! 
You found those little kittens and were so worried for them. I was feeling overwhelmed with caring for one cat, 2 cows, 8 chickens… a garden, a house and cooking for the family; I couldn’t see myself caring for one more thing in my life. I’m sorry if I caused you any anguish.
2013 definitely a year we wont forget.
2013 was the year my dad died, your grand”papa”. It brought the family more together. Your cousin Jacqueline, Melanie and Ariana came for their first visit to Central Florida with us. Mom and Heidi (the bad doggy) are living with us.
Twenty one years of a person’s life is but a drop of water in an eternal pool. As we come together at the dinner table your grandma Blanka celebrates your 21st Birthday by traditionally presenting a six pack of beer to the honorary birthday celebrant.
She proudly says… “you’re 21, you can now drink beer!” Czech people are very proud of their Pilsner and now they pass the banner to Geordan to carry such pride and as a family we raise a glass and toast to Geordan for a long, healthy, happy and loved filled life: “Na zdravi!”
and here we find ourselves it’s January 2014 – I don’t know what road I was on before you were in my life Geordan, all I know is that I am so blessed and grateful to God that I was willing to give into His Divine plan because through His plan you came into my life.
Not that I am any less of a person for what I am about to share…the days with you in my life are measured by your
first word, your first steps… your first drawing of a happy face, your first soap bubbles, the joy of you showing me a plane in the sky, your first day to school, your joy at an easter egg hunt or collecting pokemon cards, building sand castles…and as you’ve become older I take simple joy in just being still the one you want to share your stories with.
…all of this just makes me something I was not before: a mother.
…and so here we are again at The Melting Pot… I look before me and I see a young man celebrating his birthday with a bit more wisdom ready to discover himself and the world around him: Happy 21st Birthday Geordan… we are so proud to call you son. Love your parents:
mommy and daddy. aka Daisy and George
