Gift Prayer

Tomorrow I turn 47. My Birthday is the day I hate most, pretty much. The day I’m suppose to wait around wondering who loves me by what they say or what they give. This year I’m rebelling. I’ve decided I’m old enough to do birthdays how I like them. So, from now on, my birthday is the gift I’ve been given by God, and so will be letting all the people in my life know how much I love them. I know my family and friends love me. Because they are busy, or broke or forgetful or for whatever reason don’t send something, I refuse to feel sad. I refuse to love the friends who remember my birthday more than the friends that don’t. I rarely or never remember anyones birthday.  Complete bunk. It’s a measure that just hurts in my opinion…so from now on, love goes the other direction… out to you, the girlfriends who have listened to me through every imaginable frustration, who have laughed with me historically over who knows what, who have told me your raw yuck… who trust me enough to do so. My love goes out to Adored Husband for all the ways he has cared for and loved me in his own way. To my four amazing and beautiful children, too amazing to be related to me, and yet call me Momma. To my beautiful Mom who is one of the most resilient, intelligent, fun loving and driven persons I have ever known. To my sisters, blood and otherwise, who love me as is, live parallel lives and share that path with me. To my Mother in Law and Father in law for having a son I adore. To you and the rest of my family all over the country side and world…. I’m glad to be related to you. To the people I’ve worked with, who know how I fumble on remembering names and paperwork and processes we do every single shift, and still I can’t seem to remember. To my clients who are not reading this, but who have made me see the world through a lens of hope and strength, for what they have experienced and still come out the other side beautiful and strong. To all the professionals who have helped me get my license, get organized and start my practice. To the dedicated teachers… Sunday School, and school, who have blessed our kids and family richly. I am the luckiest person in the world.

Out my window is grass green, my fridge is full of food. I sleep each night in a bed soft and beside my best friend and lover. I ware clothes that fit, shoes that protect my feet. Listen to music, read amazing books. I’m so glad for the 47 years I’ve had. I pray that this year, each of you know how much I love you… and know how much God loves and adores you as is. That’s the birthday gift I’m praying for… a gift prayer for each of you.

With Love,
Amelia