Happy Birthday to ME!

While having coffee in the wee hours of this morning, my wife was discussing the ways we could celebrate my birthday today. My response, why would anyone "celebrate" a birthday after forty? Her response highlighted one of the wonderful differences between her and I.

This difference was also highlighted this Thanksgiving season while we were naming the things for which we could give thanks. My list went like this: I'm thankful that even though I had to take a huge cut in pay, I didn't loose my job; I'm thankful that none of our family was killed or struck down with some horrible disease; I'm thankful that even though our country made a massive leap toward socialism, I can still afford to pay my taxes and to live in non-governmental housing. My wife's list went more like this: I'm thankful for God's provision in our lives, and our health; I'm thankful for my lovely children and wonderful husband.

It was also apparent in our home when our children were younger. At the end of the day as the sun sank behind the horizon I would often say to them: This day is over now, and it will never come again. This comment always drew the ire of my optimistic wife who, after a time, came up with her own follow up saying. So, on many evenings in our home as the sun was setting this scenario would play itself out: Me in a melancholy voice: Well Children, this day is over, and it will never come again. Her in a happy voice: But tomorrow's a brand new day!

You see, on this day, my birthday, I saw things in my normal way; me growing old. I don't know anyone who celebrates or looks forward to growing old and feeble. My wife on the other hand saw plenty of reason for celebration because I had been granted yet another year of life. Her response to me this morning reflected just that sentiment which gave me reason for pause. So, happy happy birthday to me!