I feel like such a schmuck.

I totally missed Tyson's birthday.  He turned ten the day before the Fourth of July, on the 3rd.  Guess it was the excitement of the holiday or something.

Then Mom told me about how Tyson moped around the house before we left to see the parade.  When I asked her why, she said that I forgot to get Tyson a present or wish him a happy birthday.

I knew I had forgotten something.  I couldn't put my finger on it until Mom broke the news.  I've been in a blue funk ever since.

I mean, what do you get a kid who gets FIREWORKS for his birthday??  What do you get a kid who gets to celebrate by having all the sweets he wants, having a parade, and patriotic music, flyovers, flags, and fireworks??  If you ask me, Tyson has everything he could possibly need!

Best of all, he has ME for his big brother!

Then I had to ruin his day by forgetting to get him something as a present.  REALLY????

I have been scrounging around the stores, trying to find something to whet a ten-year-old's appetite.  No luck.  He has the latest games, music, toys.  That kid is spoiled.  If you ask me, I think his having Down syndrome is an easy ticket to success.  Whatever Tyson wants, Tyson gets.  

It's that simple.  His life has not been easy, but dang, I wish Mom and Dad (not to mention Tyson) would stop making me feel guilty!  It's not my fault that I forgot his birthday!  It was those stupid fireworks and all the holiday trappings that go along with the Fourth of July that made me forget!!  Now I'm gonna have to try to top the fireworks and all the holiday celebrations, and frankly, I don't know HOW in the world I'm ever gonna compete with America's birthday!!  UGH!