June 15 has been my mother’s birthday 81 times.
81 times the Happy Birthday song has been just for her. 81 times the celebration of her birth has been on the minds of those who love her. 81 times she has travelled around the sun.
During her 81 years, she has experienced the miracle of life and prevailed over the devastation of death. She has enjoyed peace and overcome war. Technology has advanced. Industry has improved. Vaccines have evolved. Her life traverses through space exploration, television development, and 14 U.S. presidents (including Roosevelt three times).
As a child, she survived rheumatic fever and WWII. Her teenage years saw the beginnings of James Dean and McDonalds. In her 20th year, Alaska and Hawaii became states. Her 30s were dominated by Star Wars and a lazy, orange cat named Garfield.
The following decades watched over the fall of the Berlin Wall, the development of the Internet, Nelson Mandella, the Hubble Telescope, and cell phones.
My mom also comes from a world where google refers to the bouncy eyes of a Cookie Monster, swipe is what your cat does when he’s angry, and a cloud is a fluffy white floating rain holder. Her language may be somewhat changed through her 81 years, but suffice it to say that many happy and productive moments have dotted Mom’s timeline. She married one husband, raised two children, enjoyed five grandchildren, and before her 81st year is over, she will smile over her first great-grandchild.
“Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.” (Psalm 126:3, CEB) The years of our lives gift us with wisdom, knowledge, and experience. Not every memory is a happy one, but on our birthdays it just seems appropriate to celebrate the great gifts of God and feel overjoyed.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Love,
Beth
81 times the Happy Birthday song has been just for her. 81 times the celebration of her birth has been on the minds of those who love her. 81 times she has travelled around the sun.
During her 81 years, she has experienced the miracle of life and prevailed over the devastation of death. She has enjoyed peace and overcome war. Technology has advanced. Industry has improved. Vaccines have evolved. Her life traverses through space exploration, television development, and 14 U.S. presidents (including Roosevelt three times).
As a child, she survived rheumatic fever and WWII. Her teenage years saw the beginnings of James Dean and McDonalds. In her 20th year, Alaska and Hawaii became states. Her 30s were dominated by Star Wars and a lazy, orange cat named Garfield.
The following decades watched over the fall of the Berlin Wall, the development of the Internet, Nelson Mandella, the Hubble Telescope, and cell phones.
My mom also comes from a world where google refers to the bouncy eyes of a Cookie Monster, swipe is what your cat does when he’s angry, and a cloud is a fluffy white floating rain holder. Her language may be somewhat changed through her 81 years, but suffice it to say that many happy and productive moments have dotted Mom’s timeline. She married one husband, raised two children, enjoyed five grandchildren, and before her 81st year is over, she will smile over her first great-grandchild.
“Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.” (Psalm 126:3, CEB) The years of our lives gift us with wisdom, knowledge, and experience. Not every memory is a happy one, but on our birthdays it just seems appropriate to celebrate the great gifts of God and feel overjoyed.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Love,
Beth
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