Birthday Greetings

Today was spent doing nothing much more than celebrating my birthday.

In my family of origin, birthdays were as important, if not more important, than Christmas. So today my phone has rung literally off the hook, my grandchildren sang to me over Skype, and Spacebook was full of greetings.

T took me out for lunch, and we had a lovely cheese risotto for dinner. A nice, nice day.

Thanks to all!

A Short Reflection on My 52nd Year

BB, a childhood friend, posted this morning on my Spacebook wall. She wished me an early happy birthday (I will be 52 on Saturday), and urged me to have fun and celebrate myself as I’ve had a “challenging” year.

Goodness. That would be true. Let’s see—the first three weeks of March saw me afflicted with shingles; the trip to Missouri to get Mom to her stent placement surgery and her follow ups, then her subsequent worsening and death; Dad’s death; the injuries to my shoulder and knee. Not to mention local and national irritations and political disappointments.

However, blessings also abound. My husband loves me; I have a great church family; my granddaughter adores me; my son cared enough about my feelings to take off work to support me through my father’s funeral; friends who would do anything for me are scattered all over. I have material blessings that I’m painfully aware others do not—at one time in my life, neither did I.

For all of these, I am truly grateful.

Yes, my 52nd year has been challenging. God did not promise us a life without pain or grief; God promised to be with us always. Therein lies my hope.

Thanks be to God.

My birthday

Today I am fifty-one years old.

(Don't tell my mom. She still thinks she is fifty-five!)

Reflection is the order of the day. I have lots for which to be grateful, and lots yet to do.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new year: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Birthdays, today and upcoming

My best friend in high school is turning 51 today! Happy birthday, CKB! She is an Episcopal priest in St. Petersburg, FL. We get in touch about once or twice a year, and see each other maybe once every five years. But still, I love her lots. I've known her and her husband for 35 years. We all discovered TEC as teens, but CKB and her spouse stayed with it while I dabbled in other denominations.

It was fun in high school having my best friend be only six days older than I. Yes, next Friday Episcogranny will be 51. Growing up in my very secular family, birthdays were much more anticipated than Christmas! My parents, however, no longer anticipate my birthday; having a daughter who carries an AARP card makes them feel very old.

And five days later, FranIam will catch up with me. Be sure to mark the date!

I am pleased to have my own birthday bookended by those of such distinguished women! They both have helped me along my journey by their faithful and thoughtful insights.

Small world reflection

I called Only Son's place in Missouri this afternoon to wish him a happy birthday. GD answered the phone and told me that Daddy wasn't home, and her other grandmother was there; did I want to speak with her? Of course I did; besides knowing her for 30 years, I knew she was there to babysit, and wanted to hear what Only Son and his Bride were doing on his birthday.

When I say I've known my grandchildren's other grandmother for 30 years, it has been in a fairly intimate way. She once was quite involved with one of my brothers, including living with him for some time. Years ago when my son told me that I knew his new girlfriend's mom, then told me who she was, I was pretty flabbergasted! In fact, when I mentioned to this brother who Only Son was dating, he asked me how old the girl was...

Only Son's Bride's mom has had a tough life. She has had various health issues, including COPD related to smoking, and really bad taste in men (and yes, that includes my brother, who absolutely is no saint). She is in the process of yet another divorce, and happily for her has relocated in the same town with the grandkids. She got a decent job at one of the local universities, and lives less than a mile from Only Son (who pulled some strings to get her an apartment). Unfortunately part of the reason Only Son's Bride is as pulled together as she is, is due to having to parent her own mother.

So this afternoon, she and I talked for some time. She really doesn't have many friends except her children and grandchildren, and just wanted to talk. It just really is odd how things work out.

By the way, Only Son and his bride are in Kansas City trying out a new and swanky restaurant! They are gourmet chefs and try out almost everything they eat out at home. I know they are having a great time!

Partied out

Grandson #2 was really happy about turning 2, but his party just tuckered him all out!