Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Big Two Seven

On a warm West Texas Morning on May 10, 1982, my mother and father were greeted by the face of their first child. A beautiful little boy they named after their fathers; Artie - short for Artemus, the paternal family name for their boys, and Ben - short for Benjamin, the middle name of my maternal grandfather.

27 years ago today, at this very moment, I greeted my parents and the small West Texas world, and my mother says she knew that "things would never be the same." Since I can remember I spent the majority of my time creating: drawing, singing, acting, or dubiously orchestrating some scheme that would inevitibly involve my younger brother carrying the blame. (Those [schemes] have since stopped.) My mother always said that she never went wrong in naming me Artie, because she felt it had something to do with how artistic I had become.

Today, I look back on the last few years, and I find happy and sad times, hard and soft times, high and low times - and through them all, no matter what, I have remained creative - and in my own way, artistic. So, here's to 27 ! Thanks for sharing my birthday with me.

30 comments:

  1. Artemus...Happiest of days to you. And to your mother too (being mothers day and all). Thank her for us, will ya?

    For naming you Artie, for allowing you to be you!

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  2. Happy Birthday Artie. :-)

    May you be blessed with a wonderful 27th year. Enjoy!!

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  3. Happy Birthday, Bro!

    The world is better place
    thanks to your parents...
    and we are graced, blessed to know you.

    enJoy~
    Chuck

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  4. Wow, I just sent you an email before I even saw this. I hope you have the happiest of days, and a wonderful, productive, creative year to come!!!!!! Love you Artie!

    Justine :o )

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  5. Hope you have a truly wonderful birthday Artie!

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  6. Oh yeah, you will need to update your profile info now!! :)

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  7. I am blessed to know you ... thanks to your Mom & Dad for raising such a neat son! Happy Birthday!

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  8. Happy birthday Artie. Your Mom is double blessed. You were the best Mother's day gift your Mom could ever have. One of those candles that you blow out on your cake will be from me, enjoy.
    Kathleen

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  9. Happy Happy Birthday you old coot! lol
    I feel so guilty that I was laying on the beach soaking up the sun when your mom was in labor.
    You are still just a baby dear Artie, and you always will be (that is not an insult, it's just that I'm gobs older than you 24 years to be precise!)
    You have the same birthday as my mom and I love you both, it's a good day for a birthday!
    Hugs, b.

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  10. Happy Birthday Artie! You're still just a young pup! I was just finishing up my first year of college the year you were born! ~ Robyn

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  11. Happy Birthday Artie!!! I hope you have a wonderful day today, and that you do something fun! Nicole

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  12. Happy Birthday Artie! I have been a fan of yours since the old RMS Days.
    Linda

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  13. Happy Birthday, Dear One! Oh, don't get mad at me, but you're still a baby. I'm just an old mother and can say that! You're not very old in years, but Artieness, you are a very gifted and talented young man! You're so cute, too! Have a wonderful day, Precious One!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. Artie,

    Happy Birthday! I hope you have had a grand celebration. Whatever the ups and downs, hard and soft times, know that you are loved by many and admired for your creativity!

    Blessings....

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  15. Artie, Happy Birthday! You are such a doll and we enjoy your creativity so much. I hope you've had a wonderful day with people you love.

    Stacey :)

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  16. Happy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dearest Artie! A double blessing for your mom -- the best Mother's Day present, ever. You.
    Much love and here's to the best year, ever. They just get better and better =)
    xo Isa

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  17. What a wonderful coincidence...your mom and I were pregnant at the same time! I delivered my son one month later on June 24th.

    It was definitely a GREAT year for having babies!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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  18. happy birthday !!

    from another texan !

    xx

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  19. Belated Happy Birthday.

    What a beautifully written piece. Your parents did well, and your name definitely fits!

    Enjoy being 27!

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  20. I am a day late but Happy Birthday! I am sure you mother was happy to share Mother's Day with you yesterday. Any mother would.

    Tricia - Avolli

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  21. Happy Belated Birthday Artie. Hope this is the best year yet!

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  22. Hi,
    Yes, the name definitely fits....Happiest of Birthdays to you.

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  23. Happy Birthday, Artie! You make me feel old. You're one year older than my daughter. Anyway, have a good one!

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  24. Da*n it, I missed it, but a HAPPY BELATED 27th BIRTHDAY TO YOU Artie! Hope your day was everything you expected as you so well deserve.

    (May just so happens to be the busiest month for Birthday celebrations in our family. Thank heavens candles can be recycled...winks).
    Many hugs -Brenda-

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  25. Hi Artie:

    I was thinking of you late Saturday night and sent you a b-day email. And, yes, I thought the name, Artie was a perfect name for you, too.

    Have a great year!

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  26. Happy Birthday Artie! you have a log way to go to catch up to me! Hope it was great!!! Karl

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  27. Happy Birthday, Precious! Hope you are having a wonderful extended birthday and that your year will be a remarkable one!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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