HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND

Today I would like to honor my best friend on his 50th birthday. I have been privileged to celebrate 32 of those birthdays as his “best girl”, 31 of them as his wife.

At 50 years old, he is the most handsome, sexiest man with absolutely gorgeous hair that I know. My heart still goes pitter patter every time he walks into the room, especially wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Steve is the smartest, wisest, most Godly man in my life. He is a great father to Steven and Phil and a wonderful grandfather to Mackenzie, Madison and Caleb. Most people think he is quiet and reserved but just don’t get him started. Steve finds humor in the very unique simple things in life. I cannot count the times he has made me laugh until I cried over something so stupid most people wouldn’t find it the least bit amusing.

Steve, I love you with all that I am, with all that I have, from the bottom of my heart. I would fix you a special dinner tonight, but you are stuffing your face with pizza at work. I would bake a birthday cake, but it isn’t on your “diet.” The only thing left is spending the evening with me; can’t wait until you get home.

NOW THAT IT'S AUTUMN

In the northern half of the United States we have distinct seasons. Although living in paradise may sound inviting, I have to confess I would miss the changing seasons. Winters may seem long and cold but we have Spring that holds all the promises of new life. It is invigorating to see the first crocuses pushing through the chilly ground. The tender buds and tiny leaves on the trees hint at the shade they will provide during hot summer days. April showers…more clouds than sun… keep the winter coat out until May… still the anticipation of summer fun is always in the forefront. Summers, the lazy, hazy days of summer; picnics, vacations, weekends at the lake, warm sun, roses, outside grilling, Fourth of July; summer is full of fun, but oh so exhausting. The flip side of summer brings bugs, lawn mowing, weeding the garden, pruning the roses, sunburns, high gas prices, and rushing here and there to make sure you enjoy every moment of the short three month span.

Finally, summer fades into autumn. Autumn is my favorite season. The days are warm instead of hot, the bugs are at a minimum, the lawn needs mowing less often; it’s time to kick back and relax; really relax. The best thing about autumn is the beautiful colors. The trees and flowers are in all their glory; showing the whole world the fruit of their labor. It is as if they have worked all summer just for this season. There is nothing like walking through falling leaves, smelling the aroma of burning leaves, or jumping into a pile of neatly raked leaves. Autumn is all about comfort; sitting in front of a fire, eating crisp apples, drinking hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and filling our tummies with hearty soups. It generates thoughts of home and family, confidence and security.

Now that I am 50 and have stepped into the autumn, I can appreciate the slower pace of everyday life. I’ve learned to value and actually recognize a Kodak moment. Life isn’t about getting ahead or making a name for myself, it’s about enjoying all the blessings God has bestowed upon me after the long hot summer. I feel like the tree that stands outside my front window. It isn’t a very special tree, really. It has a spindly trunk and its branches aren’t spread out enough to give much shade on a sunny day. There is no fruit or nuts to be picked from this tree. It really isn’t good for much more than a sad decoration until autumn. Then it bursts into a beautiful flaming red. The flowers under the tree which appeared as weeds all summer suddenly blossom into a hundred small bursts of color.

It may not seem that I have accomplished much, though I have been working hard to grow during the spring and summer. Now it’s autumn! My leaves are glowing with beautiful colors as I settle into the plan God has kept just for me since the day I was born.

Thank you God for every season of my life. Sometimes I’ve been too busy or impatient to recognize what you had planned in the years ahead. Help me in this autumn season to shine for You, to use all the many lessons I’ve learned to encourage those still in the spring or summertime of life.

WHAT A SURPRISE !!!

Wow!!!! What a weekend. My gorgeous daughters-in-law, Jenesa and Holly worked hard to plan a surprise birthday party for me. How they kept this a secret I’ll never know.

The best part of the surprise was when my Mom, my brother, Mike and his wife Sharon, sisters, Val and Deb and 3 beautiful nieces, Abbie, Emily and Katie showed up. My baby sister, Amy sent an email with a list of 50 things she had learned from her OLDER sister. It brought back memories of things long forgotten. Val entertained all of us with her creative vision of my 75th birthday party and what we will all be doing at that stage of our lives. Big thanks to my sons, Steven and Phil. Steven for grilling all the meat, I didn’t know what a chef he had become. Of course you can always depend on Phil to keep the party hopping. Our wonderful friends Marty and Sophia came to share in the celebration and remind me that life continues to get better and better. My granddaughters, Mackenzie and Madison and grandson Caleb were the center of attention. Even the dogs Gabe, Benj, Toby and Tucker got in on the act. I also don’t want to forget to give kudos to the handsomest man in the world, my husband Steve, who has made every day worth living for over 31 years. Yes, we were just babies when we got married.

Thanks for all the wonderful gifts, but the most enjoyable gift I received was just being with all those nearest and dearest to my heart. This also marked my spiritual birthday. It has been 41 years since I was baptized in the wonderful Name of Jesus and was filled with His Spirit. God has blessed me over the last 50 years beyond anything I could ask or even think. I can’t even imagine what He has in store for me over the next 50.

Susan

THE BIG FIVE-O

I finally made it. The big FIVE-O, Half a Century and eligible for AARP, I’ll take all the discounts at restaurants and hotels. Three kids call me Grandma and I need the little half glasses to read but I’m not ready for gray hair and orthopedic shoes.

50 is such a confusing number. The calendar says yes, my mind says no way! I should be dripping with wisdom, yet I’m still unsure about so many things. I am still full of energy, that is after I stand for about five minutes after getting out of bed.

I’ve decided this will be my JUBILEE YEAR; a year of new beginnings. I love starting fresh, New Years Day, Mondays, the first day of the month, Spring; I’ll take any reason to start fresh. Maybe I will take all of the things I have learned in 50 years and become a Brand New Me. Perhaps I will start on a new adventure for God, get out of my comfort zone and grab hold of that dream. I will find something to be thankful for and enjoy about every day. I will become the coolest Granny ever. I intend to wear purple, pink, red or orange proudly, maybe even all at one time. Finally, I will take time for the important people in my life, cherish the differences in each of us, and celebrate the things that bring us together.
Maybe 50 isn’t so confusing after all. I’m finally smart enough to realize I don’t know it all, I need to savor every moment, relationships are more valuable than possessions and God is always faithful.

Happy Birthday to me!!