Most people see New Year's as a chance to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. For me, that time comes a couple of weeks later on my birthday.
Yesterday was my 33rd birthday. And, although nobody considers 33 a milestone year (after all, who can even remember they are 33?), yesterday was a nostalgic, sappy, happy kinda day for me.
Carter started it off by wishing me a happy birthday at 3 a.m. in between his tossing and turning and teeth-gritting. I love that kid! And between my sweet family and friends at work and on Facebook, I felt so loved and lucky all day.
I walked in to a dark house with kids hiding and jumping out and screaming "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". Carter tossed a handful of "confetti" on me and Hannah was sweetly holding up her iPod as it played "Blue Skies and Rainbows" (our favorite song to sing to each other). Jason cooked a delicious supper (he gave me a choice of hot wings or squirrel -- I went with the wings) and Mama brought us a yummy birthday cake.
I am so blessed.
For as long as I can remember, Granddaddy always called me on my birthday to tell me the exact same thing: "It rained 33 years ago today. I worked all day at Chapman and came home and got Nanny and then we went to Montgomery where we had us a baby." Gosh I miss that. But I know he's celebrating in ways we can't even imagine! I don't know if we'll celebrate "birthdays" in Heaven, but if we do, I hope he can tell me that again.
My precious Daddy is taking the reins, though, because he called and asked me if I knew what it did 33 years ago today.
I consider each day a gift, and I pray that I will make the most of them. In these 33 short years, I have known the unconditional love of parents and grandparents (even through those rough teenage years); the excitement and apprehension of becoming a wife and having a husband to share my life with; the inexplicable joy and terrorizing fear of becoming a Mama for the first (and second) time; the comfort of friends who've got my back; the grief of saying goodbye to someone I love; the reward of a job well done; and the grace and love of God. And all the memories in between.
So as I look forward to what the future has in store for me and those I hold dear, I am thankful. Thankful for my past that has made me who I am today and for the years yet to come.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalms 126:3
