I’m about to celebrate a milestone birthday. Another life chapter is closing; a new one
beginning. I’m at a place in my journey where I acknowledge that each day is a
“little birthday” with cause to celebrate the gift of each day. Speaking of
gifts, I have also reached the place in life where the most important gifts are
not material. When my family asked what I wanted for my birthday, my reply was,
“No presents, just presence.” The wisdom
of years has led me to realize that the most important things in life are not
measured by what we have accumulated, or personal achievements, but the relationships
that enrich our journey.
Birthdays are times to celebrate and create memories. I will
be spending time with special friends who invited me out for dinner. I’ll gather
with family to have a meal including my favorite homemade cake, and they will
take pictures to capture the moments. As
I reflect, I am reminded that the celebration isn’t all about me. It is also about
what I have become through the years by God’s grace, by those who have loved
and continue to love me, and by those whose lives have contributed to shaping
and molding mine. So on my birthday, I will offer a prayer of thanksgiving for
those special persons whose lives intersected with mine in positive ways. I
will also be grateful for cards and Facebook birthday greetings I receive as
expressions of the friendships that I share.
On this the occasion that marks my seventy-five years, I
want to expand my birthday “wish list.” For those who would like to do
something for my birthday, please consider doing an act of kindness in my
honor. This would be such a blessing to the recipient(s) and me. Then drop me
an e-mail or post to Facebook indicating what you have done. Thanks in advance
to any of you who may choose to make my birthday count through acts of kindness
for others. After all, we are blessed to be a blessing.
