Legacy Letter to My Son on His Birthday

Dearest Michael,

This legacy letter, wrapped in love is sent to you on the day you turn 55. It is a companion to the letter I wrote you on the day you were born.

On Friday, November 20, 1970, when I was just 25 years old—the same age my mother was when she gave birth to me—you entered the world in a way that was uniquely yours. Most babies arrive facing down, but you were born “sunny side up,” already showing the light and openness that would mark your life. Even in that first moment, you showed me that you would walk your own path, with your face toward the sun.

Your Name

Your name was chosen with great care. Michael Jackson Minnicks is your full name. I don't call you Mike because Michael means "gift from God." Every time I call your name, I am acknowledging that you are my gift from God. Also, Michael is named in the Bible as a warrior and protector of God's people.

You are my firstborn and only son, and my precious gift from God. I deliberately wanted you to have part of my name. Therefore, your name carries my maiden name as your middle name, a reminder that you and I share not only blood but initials, identity, and legacy. We even share the occasional mix-up in the mail, when an envelope addressed to “M.J. Minnicks” leaves us guessing who it belongs to. That small confusion has always been a sweet reminder of how closely our lives are intertwined.

We share many things other than our names and initials. Red is our favorite color. One of our favorite Bible verses is 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Roles Reversed

When you were a child, I took you to doctors' appointments, school activities, shopping, restaurants, on a cruise, and other places. Now the roles are reversed. You are doing those things for me. You help me in countless ways that may seem ordinary, but are extraordinary because of your love for me.

Over the years, you have shown me what it means to be a devoted son. You embody the commandment to honor me as your mother, not out of duty, but out of genuine care. I admire you for how close you are to your sibling, your only sister, your niblings, one niece, and two nephews.

What touches me most is the way you never let a phone call end without saying, “I love you, Mom.” Those words are more than habit—they are a daily blessing, a reminder that love is not assumed but spoken, not hidden but shared. Those words echo in my heart long after the call ends, reminding me that the bond between us is strong, steady, and enduring.

Now that you are turning 55, I smile at the symbolism. Fifty-five is the speed limit on highways for drivers to travel at the right pace—not too fast and not too slow. That is how you live: steady, balanced, and attentive to what matters most when someone needs you. Five is the number for grace. Therefore, your 55th year will be one of "double grace."

Turning 55 is not traditionally considered a milestone birthday, like 50 or 60, but it is still a significant point in life. It is often referred to as an Emerald Birthday, symbolizing wisdom, growth, and reflection.

As you celebrate this Emerald Birthday, I want you to know how deeply I treasure you. You are my companion in this journey, my helper in times of need, and my joy in moments of quiet. You have been a son who blesses his mother daily, and that is a legacy greater than any achievement.

May your days ahead be filled with the same light you brought into the world —“sunny side up.” May you continue to walk in kindness, strength, and faith. And may you always know that your mother loves you—today, tomorrow, and forever.

So I bless you with the words from Numbers 6:24-26:

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

Make sure you read the 6 reasons to celebrate your birthday.

With all my love, Mom

Author's Note

This Legacy Letter is my gift to Michael, a testimony of gratitude, memory, and blessing, offered on his birthday and shared here so others may glimpse the joy of a mother’s love.