Bummer. This could be a very long 3 hours because I know that on February 20th (at 12 am up and down) :), I will open this letter and, regardless of what is inside, I will get that sweet, familiar feeling of being loved on my birthday all over again. From my Mom. She has made all 28 so special.
And oddly enough, I must say that this birthday is sort of a milestone for me, kind of like I imagine 30 or 40 may be. See, 28 is the youngest I ever remember my Mom being. I actually remember telling someone, when I was five years old, "My mom is 28!!!"...and I was proud that I knew that fact, I guess that's why I remember it. So it is so strange now, to be turning the age that I remember my Mom being. I don't feel "old" enough to be my Mom's age, no matter what number it may be, but this is the first one that I actually remember her being. It seemed like she was so old then, when I was 5, and she was 28. It seemed like eons separated us. Now, it doesn't seem like there is much time at all between she and I. As I get older and older, she seems to get younger and younger... I guess because I "get" her more and more. I have become her in so many ways besides the number of years I have lived. I was talking to my precious friend, Diane, last night about how those generational distances seem to fade away somewhere in your mid-twenties...and what a blessing when your Mom becomes your friend. We are "there", me and my Mom. I'd rather spend a day with her than just about anyone. And today, as an early birthday gift from God, I think, I got to do just that. And it is even better, now, because there is another "us"... another daughter...Shaelyn Jade. We are 3 peas in a pod! :) Crazy that I am the mother, now...and I will be the one who seems so old...even though I am so young! :)
We spent a long time talking about birthdays and aging today. With each passing year, I understand better that if the next ten years go by as fast as the last 10 have, I won't turn around twice before my kids are grown up, and I am, again, my Mom's age. 60 or 70 doesn't seem so old, now...but rather, fast. Fast approaching. Quickly reached. Mom and I agreed that growing old, no matter which number you arrive at, is a state of mind... an attitude. It is a determination of the mind that keeps us young rather than a transformation of the body that makes us old.
A wonderful Greek proverb says, "The heart that loves is always young", which may explain why I feel so young :)...but then I heard a quote recently: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away", and if this is true, I might as well be 100! My life is so jam packed full of joys each day.
So this year, I don't think my candles will represent years. Even though there will be 28 standing (proudly) atop my cake, I think I'll count all the blessings that God has given me in these 28 years. Two of the greatest being my Mom, who is finally SO young :) (you're welcome, Mom)...and my daughter, who will be 28 before I know it!
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! xoxo b
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