Dear Heidi:

 

You challenged me, as a mother, from the day you were born. I should have known right from the start that you had a mind of your own, and once you set your sights on something, nothing would deter you.

 

No mountain was too high to climb, no ocean was to deep to swim. You climbed and swam them all, sometimes with disastrous results, but you always managed to retain your grace and dignity as you set things right. Part of your charm was the fact you rarely blamed anyone but yourself for those little bumps in your particular road of life. I think the only time you ever put the blame on something or someone other than yourself was the night you came down our steep driveway in your brand new Jeep and hit the house at 40 kph.  You blamed the brakes on the new car rather than those work boots you were wearing *grin*. Looking back, I have to admit, it WAS funny!!

 

At one of my many, many meetings at your high school, your principal described you as a 'passive rebel'. I hadn't heard that one before, but he was right. You were indeed a passive rebel.

 

A serious head-on car accident when you were in her early 20's did not discourage you. Your self- determination and strength to continue even during a year-long intensive rehabilitation was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Your recovery and the fact you're able to walk today, is a miracle.

 

Heidi, don't ever change.  In spite of it all, you learned more at a very early age than most people learn in their lifetime. You have developed into a beautiful woman, with a mind of your own and a wonderful personality.

Love Mom

Ron and Rocco, August 2006

  Heidi with son Rocco (born August 2006)
 

Heidi's partner, Ron, has two boys, Zachary and Lucas -- so it's safe to say, Heidi is living with a lot of testosterone. Visit Zachary's own Web site.