Life's Little Moments

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118:24 

Today is Bird’s nine-and-a-half birthday. That means that today marks the time in which she is equidistance from being nine years old and being ten. We are asked occasionally why our family celebrates half birthdays. First, let me correct one misconception – the whole family doesn’t. Just Bird. There comes a time when one stops relishing the passing of time and the addition of candles on the cake. 

But when you’re young, it’s important. It’s a milestone. I remember proudly declaring my exact age when asked. 
“How old are you, honey?” 
“I’m seven…and 2 months!” 

 Here are more reasons we celebrate: 

• You’re only young once. 
• Any opportunity for cake should be seized.   
• This celebration – on February 27 every year – is the hump day of the calendar. Spring is nice. Summer is fun. Fall is delicious. And Thanksgiving and Christmas are wonderful times of the year. Then you are faced with January and February, truly two of the blah-est months there ever were. When March rolls around, you see light at the end of the tunnel. Surely, spring can’t be too far off now. So having something to look forward to at the end of February gives, well, hope. 
• No one loved birthdays more than my mother. If she delighted in something more than her own birthday, it was her friends’ and family’s special days. Every year when I was young, I was awakened by loud music booming from a record player (yes, vinyl) and seeing my parents parade through the house and around my bed, clapping and singing. If I can impart just a little of this revelry to my daughter, I’ll try my darndest. 
• I’ve noticed a trend around the actual birthday and Christmas (thanks in large part to the elves who visit us throughout December) of improved behavior and increased helpfulness around the house. Coincidence? So, what’s the harm in planting one more reason to behave throughout the year? 
• It’s an opportunity to make her feel cherished and loved. 
• Life. Is. Short. Soak it up. Embrace it. Carpe diem...seize the day!

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow’s a mystery. Today is a gift.                           That’s why they call it the present. 

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100-15