MEMORIES OF THE PAST ... HOPE FOR TOMORROW ... AND BEYOND

Yesterday was my birthday! Once you pass 65, it's more fun to have them. It's like the game Pick-Up-Stix; you see how many you can accumulate before everything else upsets your progress. Ha! Ha! 

Throughout the day I found my mind wandering back to memories of birthdays past with fondness and smiles. Of course, remembering things and events factually is not always easy. We attach so many perceptions and opinions to Life's happenings, they are often altered from reality. However, I do remember that, as a kid growing up, our family didn't do a lot to celebrate birthdays. The trend now is to have a party with friends -- at home or out -- so each child is made to feel special. That was too "way out there" for my parents. 

We were individually honored in different ways at home by those who loved us best. Mom would always fix our "favorite" food for dinner; I always asked for macaroni and cheese. This, of course, was long before Kraft came up with a way to box it. Mom made it best and it tasted gourmet to me! This was a simple dish of pasta but the made-from-scratch creamy cheese sauce dressed it up for a feast on my birthday. It is definitely one of my comfort foods! Our gifts were not extravagant since there wasn't money for that and were often something we needed. However, I do not remember ever disliking my birthday. There are some that might think these activities are too ordinary to be called a celebration; but then birthdays are really just an ordinary part of life. 


My most memorable year's birthday was when I turned 16. I was part of a very active church youth group at Bethel Temple in Red Bluff, California--a small church in a small town...but we were anything but small in heart! There were about 30-35 kids in the group and our status with each other was more like a VERY LARGE family of brothers and sisters. We relied on each other for socializing, advice-giving, accountability and instigating Life changes. We even fought with each other!


In this sub-congregation of the larger church there were several girls who were born the same year and four with birthdays in August and September. This particular summer of 1965 was a "summer to remember"! We, in our adolescent way, attempted to celebrate each always hoping to catch the birthday girl by surprise. Unfortunately, after the first time, the formula was set and surprise was just a wish. Each girl was "kidnapped" by the others, blindfolded and driven around for a while. Then we would end up at the same family's house (the only one that had a pool in our sphere of friends) out in the country between Red Bluff and Corning. We had a party then! It was always fun--even if it was predictable--and still feels very special!

Since then, I have had other extraordinary friends to celebrate with over the years. Each one remains very special to me even if not mentioned here. 

While I was in Liberty, Missouri, there was a group of five, who, over a span of several years, would go to lunch/dinner together or embark on a shopping safari to an antique shop or flea market just to celebrate each other. It was always a pleasurable time filled with hilarious laughter, stressful tears or both, but always accompanied by much conversation. Just to be with friends who accepted each other "as is" and enjoyed being together filled our hearts. The memories are poignant, remembering the adventures of traveling through life together with those women. But, I also know they are lifetime friends and wherever I am or whatever I need, they will give me assistance. This picture was our last escapade together in 2006 and, as Life still moves on, we do also. 

Since that time, I've moved three times and the Lord has always provided new friends. The new do not displace the former friends but add to the number of ladies I love. These women bring perspective and encouragement, they sharpen my Christian walk and give me joy where I am and need it most.

My remembrances have also given me a new realization: that birthdays are more purposeful in one's life than we perceive on the surface. Birthdays are not to be confused with the vanity of attempting to hold on to passing youth; they are occasions of joy to soak in that you have experienced Life and can "chalk up" another year in your favor. They designate a time to other people in your life they have been granted permission to express sentiments that may not always be accepted at other times. A birthday is a milestone in your life that places other events and situations on an emotional PAUSE to allow the spotlight to focus on you. It's not a selfish thing to have and enjoy your birthday. It's an ordinary part of Life which, by the way, is never easy. Every person needs to be celebrated in a manner that will uplift and encourage him/her even in the most difficult of times.

If you think about it, because of the joy experienced during former times of birthday celebration, you anticipate next year's revelries with hope. It's not obvious but the expectancy just lies there dormant waiting for you to revive it with the smallest spark of interest. Our lives, believe it or not, are built on hope. 

• We hope our children see many birthdays and grown up.
• We hope our health remains good and we celebrate another year.
• We hope to see friends again in the next year.
• We hope the crops come in again at harvest or we receive a pay increase at review time.
• We hope next year will be better than the past one.
• We hope our country gets more stable with the next election.
• You will be secure, because there is hope... Job 11:18
•  ..my body also will rest in hope, Acts 2:26
• Therefore, since we have ... faith, we have peace with God through ... Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access ... into ... grace ...  And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

So don't let the self-centered culture voices instill the lie that we have to remain young forever. Who wants life to be stunted in the selfishness of the immature anyway? Celebrate birthdays!-- with gusto whatever they look like! Celebrate YOU!-- as an experienced Life Participant! Celebrate others' birthdays!--so they can know joy and hope of the future! Celebrate your dreams and hopes and the future! 

Ladying for September 15, 2016:  Our hope can only be built on something which is not reliant on humanity. It must start with the Creator and His immense love for us. Then our foundation can only be built on Jesus' death and resurrection as there is nothing else solid.  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."