May Day, May Day!!!!

When I was growing up and thought about special days in my life, there were always two in particular that came to mind.....Christmas (of course) and my birthday.  While all children revel in the joys of Christmas and their birthdays, I, in particular thought it was ultra cool that Christmas was in December and my birthday was in May.  Mega presents in December and then almost half-way through the year, I get MORE PRESENTS...and parties and cake, and friends over, and sleepovers and........on and on.

As an adult you quickly learn that not only do birthday celebrations wane as you get older, you don't really care!  Who wants to be reminded that you are getting older by the year and before you know it, you are thinking, ok, I probably have more birthdays behind me than AHEAD of me....that's a sobering, but realistic thought!

When I became a mother (thank you, God, SO MUCH), Mother's Day also came into play.....and always just a week before my birthday.  Now you might think I would be excited to have another reason for presents and get togethers and FOOD, but it seems that the guilt of my poor family having to celebrate and shell out their dollars for me twice in one month seems to overshadow any celebratory thoughts.  No one needs two celebrations that close together.

This year, I was equally guilt-ridden with the thought of my family taking time out of their lives for non-stop hooping and hollaring over me, but I must admit, I really enjoyed it.  I have gotten better over time at telling people exactly what kind of celebrations I would like to have instead of my usual, "Whatever you guys want to do is fine", mentality.  This year, I said I would like to spend Mother's Day with my own mom knowing our days together are undoubtedly numbered since she is now 90 years young.  For my birthday celebration I said I wanted a picnic at Watkins Mill State Park.  I love picnics.  It's so nice to enjoy God's beautiful world while watching my children and grandchildren enjoy playing games, running around and just enjoying each other with outside activities.

When I asked my mom what SHE wanted to do for Mother's Day, she said, "Go to Andy and Sarah's!".  I was so pleased that she wanted to spend the day with all of our family together.  So that's where we went....and had a fabulous time with all the other mothers...all together. 

For my birthday, we did exactly what I said I wanted to do....went to Watkins Mill State Park and had a picnic...just Loren, myself, our kids and grandkids....what fun......  What I DIDN'T know was that they had invited lots of other folks to help me celebrate and they came after the picnic and MAN, was I surprised!  I also was BLOWN AWAY by the gift of an 88 key keyboard that I have wanted for years.  SURPRISE again!

What a sweet family I have....what a sweet life I live.....how God has blessed me over and over again and how I can never be truly gracious and appreciative enough of all I have in this short 60 years God has given me.  Thank you, dear family and friends for your love and support.......bring it on for another 60!!!!  :)