Happy Birthday to Me!

 

 Today is my 47th birthday! As it approached, I've had a lot of thoughts and feelings come up that I wanted to share here. Maybe some of these things come up for you near your birthday as well?


 We have a lot of birthday traditions in my family. Many of these were created by loved ones who have since gone onto glory. In this picture I have a bow from a package on my forehead. My Grandpa McCoy used to always put his bows on the top of his head (there was no hair there so it was easier for him). Inside the cake in front of me, there is a penny. My Grandma McCoy used to stir a penny into the cake batter and then pour it in where no one would know. The person that got the slice of cake with the penny in it was supposed to have good luck! My Grandpa and Grandma are in heaven together with Jesus now and I miss them especially on days like this with so many memories. But I'm also grateful for those memories and the joy they brought into my life.


 My Mom and I have birthdays 6 days and 20 years apart. Most of my birthday celebrations with family have been done alongside her, and I'm grateful for it. I love all the pictures I have through the years of me cracking up over something. Joy is my middle name after all! I don't mind sharing my birthday at all! In fact, as more and more members were added to our family, it no longer became practical for us to celebrate each birthday (or pair of birthdays) individually and we began to do it seasonally.



 Here are two of our Sparks' Summer Birthdays 21 years apart. The little guy in red on the left is the all grown up one in black on the right! These annual celebrations made me feel seen. My family did a great job of loving on us on our birthdays and I am super grateful for it!


 These days, birthdays take on a deeper meaning for me. Two years ago, I wasn't sure I'd see my birthday, but I did! Last year, my brain tumor made things exciting as well, giving us signals that it was growing and my clock might be ticking. This year, I feel a little less urgency about that side of things, but the specter of the last two years' anxiety is still there. None of us knows how long we have on this side of heaven, but sometimes those unknowns are a gift. Sometimes the brain tumors and chronic illnesses encourage us to enjoy and live life to the fullest today, because tomorrow isn't promised. 

Here's the Thing: I celebrate my birthday. I celebrate all that God has done in and through me over the last year, and the many years before it. I celebrate the life He has given me and each and every person He has filled it with. Thank you for being one of those people!

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