I’m not a fan of birthdays – historically. I’m sure my parents threw a party or two…….and I can remember dear friends in Waco throwing me a bash for my 30th birthday – which happened to be a major transition year for me. I’ll be forever grateful for those sweet friends who reminded me of the blessing of friendship in what had been a challenging year.
So to acknowledge this birthday year…..one I would choose to ignore – has been difficult. Perhaps its because I think I’m still 25. Or perhaps I feel only 33. Or I still have great memories of 40. Or more importantly……I can still recall being 16.
But reality has set in – and 18,250 days of life have passed. I have to accept it. I’ve crossed the river.
I recently read a great book, “20,000 days and Counting” by Robert Smith – which challenged me on the value and beauty of living each day to its fullest – and choosing to make a difference. And it reminded me that there could be still a lot of time in my dash- “-“ : the time between 1964 and ??
So I’m taking on this next year!
I want to care for orphans in Moldova, to save for college for my own kids, and make more music. I want to drink sweet tea and not gain weight. I want to eat dessert first like the author of “20,000 Days” and I want to wake up grateful for another day.
Mostly, I want to be sure that my family and friends know how important they have been on the last 18,250 days, how lucky I am to have journeyed this far – and that the best is still to come. (At least that is what I’m telling myself)