Guess what?
March 8 was my birthday and I didn’t have any candles. I didn’t have a cake. I didn’t wear the birthday hat. And I didn’t get any photos from a party. Not even one.
Can you even believe that? Me? The Queen of Pictures? With no birthday photos?
But there’s a very good reason for that.
Although March 8 was my birthday, it was not my birthday party; that will take place this Friday night. I wanted to delay the party because my friend, Greta, will be in town this weekend and I only get to see her once or twice a year. I thought it would be fun (in light of our current dearth of local friends), to have an actual real live friend at my party.
By the way, I did have a few cards and presents that came in by mail and a lovely bouquet from the best husband ever. So I definitely felt loved!
Having said all of that, I need to mention that I did have one friend with me on March 8, a friend who also goes by the name Daughter.
Gage was out of town for two nights at a teacher’s retreat and Sarah asked if she could come for dinner Friday for my birthday and then spend the night with us.
Of course, I had to think long and hard about whether or not I wanted her to be there on my birthday. It was a close call. However, after some serious contemplation, I finally gave my begrudging assent.
Ha. You know that’s not how it went.
Steve and I were over the moon to have her at the house and I was especially glad to have another person to mark the occasion with. After we had partied hard (crockpot meal that Steve made, pieces of pie while we watched The Chosen, and in bed by 9 pm–well, me at least), I got up Saturday morning excited that the fabulous Sarah Long was in the house.
She and I spent a couple of hours talking in the quiet of the early morning. She and Gage have faced so many difficulties and challenges in their relatively short time together and they are weathering the storms with courage and grace. I’m so grateful for those rare snatched moments to just spend time together and, as the Bible says, bear each other’s burdens.
After breakfast, we went to Goodwill for some thrift store shopping and then Gage was back at noon to pick her up.
The two of them always greet each other as though they haven’t seen each other in six months. I love it.
It used to be that time spent with Sarah looked like this.
Back then, we were told she would most likely never see adulthood. But now, twenty-two years later, we have the joy of seeing the grown-up Sarah–happily married and living a life full of love with the husband God has blessed her with.
So yes, it was a quiet birthday weekend. But stitched throughout the quiet were the threads of a thousand thanksgivings, reminders of sixty-two good years, and the joy of having family near.
What about you?
If you just started typing without stopping to think, what are two thanksgivings that immediately come to your mind? (I’m going to be nice and not ask for a thousand.) 🙂
What’s one fun or interesting thing you did this past weekend?
Happy belated birthday!! Welcome to 62!! I hope your party and get together was so much fun! 😊
Glad you were able to spend some quality time with Sarah too.
I’m thankful that we are close by to help our kids through a rough season that they are both going through in their marriages/relationships. It’s very stressful but we’ll get through it with lots of love and prayers.
LeeAnne,
There’s nothing that hurts a parent’s heart any more than seeing their children struggle. I can only imagine how much your prayers, support, and love mean to them right now. We have experienced many chapters in our family and extended family when those were the only things that got us through. Hugs.
I am grateful for my fabulously thoughtful, generous and creative husband. He and I like Gage and Sarah have weathered some rough times over the last 16 years. I am also grateful for our two dogs-Belle and Tiny. They provide comfort, laughter and are so very loved and spoiled. Their level of spoilage is equal to their sizes (They are both Great Danes).
Rachel,
I love that one of your Great Danes is named Tiny. You and your husband definitely have a sense of humor. After having small dogs my whole life, my mind is boggled at the thought of two Great Danes. But it sounds like they are greatly loved!
Your descriptive words of your husband were wonderful; so glad you have weathered your storms instead of being swamped by them. It makes the good times all the better.
I’m thankful I had my dad in my life for 68+ years. So many of my friends from high school have lost one or both their parents. I’m thankful for a supportive church family.
My weekend was pretty non-eventful. I did get everything from my dad’s room sorted and taken to a thrift store. I took 2 boxes of things one day and a third box Monday. Sunday was my day to rock babies at church. I actually ended up pushing two babies up and down the hall in a double stroller.
Happy belated birthday! Glad you got to spend part of it with Sarah.
Phyllis,
Rocking babies at church sounds like the perfect volunteer position. 🙂
Sixty-eight years is a long time to be blessed with a good dad; so thankful you can look back at your years together with joy. Good job on getting his room cleaned out!
Happy Belated Birthday Blessings!!! Sounds like a wonderful birthday has started and will last for a while! 🙂
Hard to pick just 2! Thankful for my family and my extended family/church family! They are all such a blessing to me!
My daughter and granddaughter (3) are staying with us for 3 nights while her hubs is out of town for work. They are only 40 minutes away but my daughter teaches at a school 15 minutes from us so it’s convenient for them to stay with us. We usually get them one night a week 🙂 which we love!!! We love PJ parties with the grands!!!
Nothing interesting from this past weekend! Enjoyed a little extra R&R on Saturday afternoon! Church and lunch with family on Sunday.
Enjoy your party!!!
Eswim,
So many of our blessings have to do with people, not things–just like you listed. I love that!
And how fun to enjoy daughter and her daughter for three days! Lots of smiles and giggles to be had.
So much to be thankful for – it would take too many spaces/pages to name them all. It was so wonderful to hear that Sarah was able to come and spend time with you. I rarely am able to do that with my daughter – will not go into it – so it is always a blessing to hear mothers spending time with their daughters/sons. Gage and Sarah are so dear and it makes my heart glad to hear how he treats Sarah and is not afraid to show affection for her. Will be glad to hear how your Friday birthday party will be going and to see pictures.
Sharyn,
Yes, I am thankful to be able to spend time with both my daughters; I am sorry things are complicated with your own daughter.
I’d agree–Sarah and Gage are definitely in the “dear category!” 🙂
Two things I’m thankful for… I’m on Spring Break this week!! and got to visit and hold my newest great-niece again this weekend!! She was born February 21st and is absolutely precious!!
Enjoy your friend’s visit and have a wonderful time celebrating 62!!
Sue Ellen,
Oh the joy of holding a newborn. There is absolutely nothing quite like it. Enjoy her and enjoy your break!
I’m so glad you could have your amazing girl with you on your birthday–the best present! And looking forward to hearing about the official, wear-the-hat, dear friend and family party! Whoop!
Top of the list Thankfuls today are my hard working husband and a warm house on what was a cold morning. And we get to have supper with our kids tonight! Of course, ever present thankfulness for Sarah’s life and for all God has done in the lives of the incredible Smith/Long clan.
Love to all!
Deb
Deb,
Isn’t it wonderful to be in a warm house on a cold morning? It’s especially nice if it’s a cold, rainy morning. And yes, you do have a hard-working husband!
Enjoy supper with your kids and tell them I send my love!
I can’t wait to celebrate your bday with you!!! I’m thankful for a travel-worthy car that will take me to the western part of the state to see you! I’m grateful for warm afternoons despite the still chilly evenings. I’m also thankful for the time change and the daylight that lasts a little longer. See you soon, dear friend!
Greta,
Being grateful for our cars is a great thing; it’s so easy to take reliable transportation for granted. I am grateful for your card right along with you!
And yay for the time change–at least yay in the afternoons. Not so much in the mornings. 🙂
Happy Birthday! A thousand thanksgivings indeed. The first 2 that come to mind are:
1. My father–a 65 year old avid cyclist–was hit by a car on Friday. Miraculously, he walked away with nothing more than 4 stitches, some bruising, and missing front teeth (one of which was a false tooth from a previous accident!). While I of course wish that he hadn’t been in an accident, I am so incredibly grateful it wasn’t worse. Knowing him, I’m guessing he’ll be back on the bike next week.
2. Spring is beginning to peek out, and I’m so excited for our neighborhood to be in bloom in a few weeks.
Robin,
That’s a HUGE thanksgiving about your dad. A car vs. bike doesn’t usually work out very well with the cyclist. I admire him for being willing to get right back to it after a traumatic experience.
And a big amen to spring peaking out. We have tulips and some budding trees; so exciting to see the ancient cycle happen yet again. I never get tired of it.
Happy belated birthday! I hope your party is fun and full of laughter and love!
Thankful:
For my little family; they are lovely.
For my career that has allowed me the opportunity to travel and see things I never imagined being able to see.
Fun thing – Mike and I went to two Goodwills, then we went for a 2.5-mile walk in one of our beautiful county parks.
Stefanie,
Any career that allows someone to travel is a good thing indeed. I would love to travel bunches more than I already have but I can be thankful on YOUR behalf that you get to. 🙂
Two Goodwills and a lovely walk. Sounds like a great day to me!
Happy Birthday-hope your late party is great.
I am thankful that I am able to get up and out and greet the day.
I am thankful that I have a husband who does almost all of the cooking.
My fun thing this weekend was a new venue for a craft sale that was very busy, fun, and that I sold well.
Patti,
I know. Sometimes we just take getting out of bed and greeting the day for granted when there are so many who can’t. Joining you in that thanksgiving.
And good for you going out and doing craft sales. I’m so glad this most recent one went so well. Keep it up!