As we get older, people sometimes grumble when their birthday rolls around.  Not me, though!  I realize that birthdays are special.  Each and every birthday!  From the days of youth celebrating with birthday parties, cake, ice cream … to the later years when gray starts creeping into your hair.  Each and every birthday is special.

Think on that for a minute.

There are some that are not blessed to make it to your current age – or mine, for that matter.

Some lives are taken too soon, and we are left with a million questions as to, “Why …”

So when your birthday rolls around, take time to CELEBRATE!  No matter what age you will be turning, realize that it is a gift from God above.

Yesterday, we celebrated my daughter’s 12th birthday.  My, oh my, where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday I was cradling my six pound three ounce baby girl in my arms.  And bam!  Over night, she’s grown into this beautiful little girl with the longest legs on her slender frame.  Bouncing around with a huge smile on her face, blond curls bouncing up and down right along with her.

I watched as my miracle baby has gone through many stages in her life.  She’s into riding horses, playing in the mud doing “tom boy” things while also enjoying twirling around in the dressing room trying on frilly dresses.  She is a well rounded individual, for sure!  Just this week I had the pleasure of taking her shopping for new clothes.  I watched as she looked at herself in the mirror, smiled, turned from side to side, and then twirled around so her dress would flair outward.  She’d giggle and do it all over again.   We came home with TWO dresses, among other clothes in our shopping bags.  I had to chuckle as she exclaimed with a wide smile, “This does NOT mean I’m a girly girl.  I’m still a tom boy!”

Last night, we made cotton candy while she videoed the entire thing.  It thrilled my heart to see her excitement using her new cotton candy maker.  She and her sister made blue, purple, and even pink cotton candy.  Oh, what a sugar high!

That was great fun!

I went to bed last night with a smile on my face.  My daughter had a great birthday, and that made me feel so good.

This morning when I awoke, I smiled and thanked God for the gift of another day.  Today I turned 45 years old.  It is so hard to believe because I do NOT feel “this” old at all.  I still feel like a teenager, although the two gray hairs that popped up in the crown of my head are trying to say otherwise!  Even still, I feel blessed by the gray hair because it means I’ve lived and loved well.  What’s more is that God has given me this gift of another birthday to celebrate with my family.  I get to enjoy being surrounded by my family wishing me well and sharing their love with me.  I appreciate this gift more than words could ever say.  I’m here on this earth still living and loving.  I have the privilege of a road trip in our RV this weekend with my family.  With plans in place, we will set out with great excitement as we anticipate arriving at our destination to relax and unwind on this, our birthday weekend.

With all sincerity, I thank God that I have reached 45 years of age.  I ask God to bless me with many more birthdays.  I’ve prayed to God for a while now asking Him to please allow me to be a very old woman rocking my great-great grandchildren on my front porch.

God willing … I shall do just that!

Enjoy your day – no matter how old you are!  Realize it is a true blessing!

Now, get out there and make memories!