I am having a birthday, not an earthquake!

Only 2 ½ hours left until I hit what others refer to as the big one. Many of those who have gone before me speak of turning 40 as if I am about to experience a natural disaster a cataclysmic event and something that I should be prepared for. “The Big One” as if all the other birthdays were less significant or something.

I am having a birthday not an earthquake! I do not need to prepare for a tragedy but rather plan for a celebration. I do not need to seek shelter but rather embrace change. I do not need to count my loss but rather embrace the gain.

As I sat waiting for an appointment today, I reflected back over my childhood and thought about the very thing my mother instilled in all six of her children. One of the many things I have inherited from my mother was the gift of celebration. Looking back over my childhood I never saw my mom complain about the aging process. Instead, another birthday was just one more reason to celebrate. It seemed as if my mother treated every birthday as a gift from God, turning a one-day celebration into a week long event and as she got older a month long festival. Thanks mom!

My birthday preparation will consist of the front porch being transformed into a party hall open to those in the neighborhood, friends and family, with a possibility of the fire pit being pulled out. The change I feel most this coming birthday is in my attitude towards others and myself. Grace has become a theme in my life, and I want to give back what has been given to me. What I have gained far out weighs the things I have lost over the years.

I will write more and let you all know how my day went, it is good to be me, all is well and life is good.