Birthdays

I have spent my birthdays in some pretty random places... Morocco, Cyprus, Germany, Austria... And this year I get to spend it in Portland, Oregon. There are a couple things about my birthday this year that gave me pause to think.

1. Facebook has made it possible for hundreds of the people in my life to wish me a happy birthday without needing to pay postage or phone bills. I was so blessed to hear from so many! And, of course, if it wasn't for Facebook... would we even know that a birthday was coming? I have Facebook to tell me birthdays, my mobile phone to keep phone numbers and emails... What does my brain need to remember for me? I am fascinated by how technology changes our culture.

2. I received a few actually birthday cards in the mail. SO fun!!!!  My favorite?! Disney Princess's collection Sleeping Beauty with hand drawings inside by some of the dear little people in my life. Thanks Ems and Josh!  and Thanks Lisa and Kevin! Actual cards are fun to hold on to. I will treasure the words in the cards that were sent to me. They won't disappear under countless other wall postings as the greetings on Facebook do.

3. There is a group of ladies that God has put in my life since years ago... and they are so wonderful to celebrate each others birthdays. And this year they gathered together to celebrate with me, my birthday! So great!  I was thinking...the men who marry these amazing women... are really lucky... incredible cooks!.. and so much more!  Kristin, Bekah, Sara, Jamie, thank you for blessing me!  The food and drinks were perfect!

4. On my birthday I had the pleasure of the company of two other dear friends, lunch at a great Lebanese restaurant, ice cream at Cold Stone, lots of laughter, and it ended with some sweet time with the Lord and dear people at the Good Shepherd night of Soaking in His Presence. I do love variety... and the day was a great mix of things... dear people in person, dear people on the phone, dear people on facebook, dear people in church...red roses, fun e-cards, etc.  God is good.