Another birthday passed. I appreciate being able to add another year to my age because it means I’m still here. Add to that good health, family, friends, and full stomach, what more could I ask for?
When I go through photos taken throughout my life, I remember those times like they were yesterday. They seem like yesterday. Only that yesterday was decades ago. I’m struck how many day-to-day activities and interactions are forgotten or they blend together like paint on an artist’s palette.
Pictures chronicle our lives and help us remember people or events we’ve not thought about in a long time. The older I get, the more photos there are. The volume of them astounds me. Have I really lived that long and done all these things? The pictures bear witness that I did.
There were times when no photos were taken but the memories linger on. Holding my infant daughter and marveling at this person I’d made. Holding my newborn son in the middle of the night while he slept. Holding him later when he had the chicken pox, was running a high fever, and groaning, “Help me, Momma.” Watching my daughter save her babysitting money to pay for gas during our vacation. Watching her debate and win against many opponents. Watching my son come out of his shell when he got into a new school. Watching him race his bicycle and win. Hearing my daughter call from college to say, “Mom, I met someone.” Seeing my son’s beaming face when he said, “I met the girl I’m going to marry.” Holding my grandson for the first time. Hearing him say he loves me.
When I was young, I prayed the Lord would help me find a good man to love me. He did. I prayed that I would know what it felt like to be a mom. I did. I prayed my daughter would find a good Christian man to love her. She did. I prayed my son would find a good Christian woman who would love him. He did. I prayed to the Lord to know what it would feel like to be a grandma. He did. So many of my prayers answered. I give thanks for them all and for another trip around the sun.
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them. Ecclesiastes 12:14
Wonderfully put. Happy birthday, friend.
Oh, Carol, this is so beautiful! Memories of my own decades flashed through my mind like a movie reel.
It was so good to see you on Zoom Saturday.
Thanks!