I had a remarkable birthday last month, and I didn’t really expect that. Most of the month I’ve been telling people I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to celebrate my birthday. My late husband made birthdays so special, but I think my biggest struggle is that the anniversary of his passing is only 6 days after my birthday. This year marks the second anniversary. It doesn’t help that Easter was the day before my birthday this year. That’s a lot of activity and emotions in 8 days time.
My family will be going to Texas memorial weekend for my niece’s high school graduation. So my first thought was that we should just celebrate in Texas because it’s been a very long time since I’ve been able to celebrate with my family that lives there. My day ended up being very special and I truly am ready to keep moving forward with my life and to celebrate me. Rob after all would really want that for me.
I had a special lunch with a dear friend. We share so much in common, she was someone I could cry about how I wanted to celebrate and yet I didn’t. She took me to Seasons 52 and they do up birthdays right! Shot glass desert, candle in glass of sugar to make a wish along with a bowl of fruit to make the plate pretty, glass of champagne, and birthday wishes and a rose delivered by the manager. Reminiscent of the kind of special birthday Rob would have seen to.
Flowers from my biz partner, 250+ Facebook messages, texts, phone calls and cards in the mail round out the day. Unplanned dinner with my daughter that held an amazing conversation. The authentic kind that just draws you closer was a sweet ending to the day.
The next evening I went dancing. I hadn’t been able to go on Tuesday’s since January because I was attending GriefShare meetings. It was the teacher’s birthday but she knew mine was the day before, so she made sure our friends sang happy birthday, but I didn’t let her get away with not being in the picture frame with me.
When I arrived home I had some time to visit with my son. To tell him some things on my heart and he had some things to share as well. Another very authentic conversation drawing us closer, provided a sweet ending to a second day.
It’s these two conversations with my children that exceed anything bought or hand made. Nothing else could delight my heart in the way these conversations did. These conversations even surpass the amazing posts they made on Facebook as they wished me happy birthday.
Prov 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed.
Striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman is a goal I should work on daily. With the help of the Lord and Godly people in our lives, I believe my children meet the definition of verse 28 with their posts to me. I am humbled by their words and certainly blessed that we have the relationship that we do.
Father, I pray that I might continue to be a Godly influence in my children’s lives. And above all else that others be drawn to you because of what they see in us. Thank you for the gift of these relationships, the gift of authenticity and transparency between us. Help us always work towards supporting each other, working to bring out the best in each other, all while showing You to a lost world. Amen
Grace Under Pressure 