I've never been one who is stuck on age. I figure, as long as I feel the way I feel...I don't care what number attempts to define my years here on this earth. AND I sincerely feel if more people felt this way and paid a whole lot less attention to their 'number' as they did their already-in-progress lives going on around them, we'd have a lot more happy people in this world.
You see my number flips to 43 this week. Twenty years or so ago...that sounded as old as dirt. Today...I look at it is fabulous. I'm thrilled I keep getting to have birthdays (note...the alternative isn't nearly as attractive!). I know there are things I haven't done yet in my life. Some I planned on having done by now and some are things that have no time-limit. I believe God gave us this life to use right up until the end. Not just our first 40 years or so. No way. I believe He sees us as works-in-progress until our last day. I'm not overwhelmed by things I haven't accomplished. I look forward to doing them still. Come to find out...my plan isn't always the plan that was written for my life and I've learned to adjust. Detours happen.
I know for a fact, when it comes to my last hour on this earth, there is no way I'll be thinking of what type of house I lived in, what kind of car I drove, the brand of clothes I wore or how many toys I had. I know my thoughts will be about my loved ones. Did I tell them I loved them enough? Did I let them know how important they are? Did I take every chance to send them compliments and praises so it planted a seed in their hearts that they are amazing people to me? Did I take time to play with them? Did I put them first not just when it was easy, but when I had to fight to do it? Do they know they were my priority? Did I make them feel loved?
So this weekend, as I was thinking about my upcoming birthday and how the weather is supposed to be beautiful all week long, I thought YES! A perfect birthday week! See, in the month of October, we only had about 8,800 minutes of sun. Sounds like a lot? Not when we're supposed to have over 21,000 minutes of sun in October! It was the cloudiest October on record. And those pesky clouds have a way of clouding our heads.
But this week...sun. Which led me to reviewing my weekend and how the blessings and fun had actually started there, leading up to my birthday week (yes...it's my birthday WEEK).
I had a weekend full of 'happies' that proves my point of being blessed.
> My weekend started with a Friday night date night with D and I had so much fun having some alone-time with him. Very important!
> Then waking up to a lazy Saturday Halloween morning with no where to rush off to.
> On to the Belle's football game in the afternoon to watch her cheer. So cute! They did a special halftime dance to 'Thriller' since it was Halloween. Adorable.
> Back home to get them dressed for Halloween! Belle has been so excited about her costume (a cheetah). Ben went to a birthday party and had a great time (he was the Grim Reaper). First time not going with him trick-or-treating. :-( It's tough letting go.
> Spent Halloween night on our old street with great friends. Walked with Belle and her friends (and moms!) as they trick-or-treated then went back to the street for a party. Kids ran around everywhere. Adults talked, laughed, drank, ate. Very laid-back. Very needed.
> Woke up Sunday too late to make it to church (oops...the time changed and our clan was snoozy!). So we had a Phillips Pile instead in our bed. You can't get those times back. Cherished.
See? BLESSED. We have so many people around us who love us and we love. Awesome kids. A roof over our heads. Cars to drive (that are paid for!). Food in the pantry.
Yes...it's definitely been a tough year, but there are so many people who would trade their 'problems' for ours in a heartbeat. I was talking with the kids last night about the things I do around the house that they take for granted (it wasn't a lecture...it was all in jest because Ben was kind enough to tell me, "Oh and by the way mom...you burnt the pizza." Gee...thanks.). It went something like they are always quick to tell me when I don't do something OR when I do something 'wrong', but aren't' as likely to tell me "Thank you" for just the everyday stuff (clean clothes, clean house, food to eat, etc...). I went on to say I was moving to the Bahamas and they would soon realize what all I did! hahaha. I told them, "You don't know what ya' got 'til it's gone." It's like in the movie The Family Man where he thinks he has everything he wants and needs until he's given the gift of a family and all the work and love that comes with it. Something he had no idea was missing from his life until he gets it, then it's taken away. It shows you get what you give in life. By the way...if you haven't seen this movie...do NOT watch the clip below. Instead, go rent the movie now! It's a must see.
So, yes...I choose us, as the movie says. I choose this life. Chaos and all. I know this time will be a blip on the highlight reel of my life someday soon and I'll be so proud of making it to the other side of the mountain. For fighting for the positives vs. giving in to the negative situations. That's what life is all about. It's a rollercoaster, afterall.
Those oh-so irritating negatives are there to bring out our character. Our inner warrior. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! Twenty years ago, I wouldn't be able to do what I can today. That all comes with my number flipping, thank you! Lessons learned. Knowledge gained. Priorities placed.
I have no idea what is in store this birthday week, but I know it will be funtastic and I'm looking forward to increasing my number! BRING IT!
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