September 13, a "Medicare" birthday

9/13/11 You know you are old when.....your birthday cards look like these or have messages that say, "a (medicare) birthday is a good time to remember that potbellies can be kind of cute."Another one welcomed me to the "wonder years--- "....wonder where my glasses are, wonder where I parked my car, wonder why I bought bok choy, wonder why everything hurts, wonder if I locked the door,"----you get the idea.

Misery and aging both seem to love company--some one else who understands. So.....it's fun to laugh together and celebrate God's grace in giving us another birthday.

Daddy always said that he thanked the good Lord for every day he gave him. He truly saw each day as a gift. In part, aging brings about that realization of the gift that life truly is, especially as one reflects on loss of friends, who will never celebrate another birthday.

With my MAC (cancer) diagnosis in "09, I, and my friends, made special efforts to get together and share "time" and other gifts of caring. Today 3 of those very friends are no longer living and I realize how important those gifts of encouragement were. It's time for me to give back to folks of God's choosing. So....I've asked the Lord to guide me through the next year in giving gifts each day to those He brings to mind or puts in my path. (The fearful part of me wanted to give self an out and put week, not day) It might be food, notes or prayers, a visit or donation or the wrapped variety---but I want it to come from Him.

I hesitated to write this because it's sort of like standing up at church when the leader asks those who are "willing" to pray, support or go to literally take their stand by getting up out of the pew. It's putting yourself under scrutiny----holding self accountable, as those who see your "stand" will be judging your actions. Though in my case, I think anonymity will also play a part because a "glory hog" is not needed. It has to be His work. To God be the glory.

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. (I Thessalonians 5:24)