Birthdays

How did 9 years go so fast? How did I let the years, weeks, days, become a fleeting moment in time? What did I do? How well ( or not so well) did I do it? What should I have done? What should I have done better?

These are all questions I ask myself each time I have a child have a birthday. I cry each and every year! I love who they are each day, but man, sometimes I want to go back and soak it all in again.

Cade turned 9 yesterday and that brought about my sappiness for the day. We have a family tradition on their birthdays. They wake up to a family "surprise" party. Now keep in mind, after 13 of these, they KNOW it's comin', but they have no idea what to expect. I decorate very gaudy for these mornings. Ya know, the balloons, tablecloths, streamers, etc. I use the party stuff like Transformers, Dora, Star Wars, etc. I even do this for Chase. No. You never get too old. We try to make them feel so special on 'their' day. Then we have their little family party w/ the family gifts, etc. This is a private party, only for immediate family. I know that sounds very selfish, but it is just how it is. We share ourselves later.

As tradition holds, we go wake up the birthday boy and then everyone waits outside his door. Stumbling down the hall with crazy hair, rubbing his eyes, and a smile from ear to ear is my 9 year old to which we all say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"! If possible, the smile gets bigger. We had our special time and then everyone was off to their day.

I had made a sticker for Cade to wear that said, "Today is my birthday and I am loved". Glenn took off for the day as he does for each of their birthdays (what a dad), and had lunch with the birthday boy. Right before school was out, Glenn, Kendall, and I surprised him and his class with gingerbread and hot chocolate. (we got another big smile) Glenn then checked him out early for the day.

Later that evening, we had his (& Olivia Runnels joint) birthday party at the ice skating rink downtown. It was the perfect weather (I had asked God earlier for that) and everyone had a ball. He got great gifts and had a wonderful day.

Well, when we woke this morning, it was no longer December 16th, it was December 17th. Just a regular day. No family surprise party. No great anticipation walking down the hallway. Dad's back at work. I'm stressed about the mess yesterday left. Just a plain ole day. Did anyone come up to Cade today and make him feel special? I hope so, but in all honesty, without the sticker he wore declaring his birthday, they probably were just polite and carried on. Oh, don't misunderstand me. No one was rude or unkind I don't believe. Cade just blended in the crowd today.

Humh. Where is the life lesson? As we all build up for December 25th and the celebration of Christ's birth, do we think about December 26th? Everyone is so eager to pull it all down, box it all up, and get it back in the attic after we celebrate the King of King's birthday. No, I don't believe any of us intend to be rude about it, Jesus just somehow begins to blend in...possibly not being made to feel special.

Maybe this year we can carry on the celebration. Surprise Jesus every morning with our prepared hearts, ready to serve and celebrate Him. Let's be purposeful and planned on how to make Him feel special.

Thank you Lord for Cade. Though I often want to go back and just sit in a moment, I thank you for his growth. How he makes me smile. Thank you for who you are and want to be in him. Lord, I pray that on your birthday I don't have any regrets or want for any do-overs. I know I will, but I think what I am saying is I want each moment to count...for you.

Happy Birthday Jesus!