Birthday Reflections

I learned in Bible class once that you could divide the life of Moses into 3 40-year parts. His first 40 years were spent in Egypt, the next 40 years he was a shepherd, and he spent his last 40 years with the Israelites wondering around in the desert.

It seems like my life can be divided up into thirds too. The first 20 years I was a kid. The next 20 was spent having and raising kids of my own. And now, as a 40-something grown-up, I'm enjoying life in a new way. I have the freedom to be and do pretty much anything my conscience, aging body, and pocketbook will allow.

The one who said, "Life begins at 40," wasn't kidding. This is a great time in my life. Not that the first 40 years weren't, but I'm finding a peace and contentment and, as Susan Ann likes to call it, an attitude of gratitude that has blessed and surprised me as I age. Growing old isn't such a bad thing. I think the older I get, the better I get. I don't say that to brag. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for lots of hard lessons learned along the way. I still have a lot to learn, (Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 11:2, Micah 6:8 and Colossians 3:23 to name a few) but here's what I've figured out about life so far.

1. God is everything. (That's why He calls himself, "I AM.")
2. Everything happens for a reason.
3. Begin every day and every task with mediation on God’s Word and prayer, and all will be well.
4. Less is more.
5. The secret of contentment: Focus on the positive... what you have instead of what you wish you had; where you are instead of where you wish you were; who you are instead of who you wish you were.
6. Rejoice always! God loves you.

I feel like there should be 7, but I can't think of another one to put there. Maybe I will over the next 20 years. Or maybe one of you can add number 7!

And now, a few pictures…one from each of the phases of my life thus far...

1967
 (I'm the one on Dad's lap.)

1995

2011

Fun Family Facts

Occasionally, when I’ve nothing else to do and the mood strikes me, I like to head over to the internet movie database website (IMDb.com) and spend a little time reading about my favorite movies and TV shows.

Last night I found out these fun facts about Everybody Loves Raymond:

Ray Romano, who played Ray Baron, is actually 3 years older than Brad Garrett, who played his older brother Robert on the show.

The two characters who have been in every episode are Ray (of course) and Doris Roberts, who played Ray’s overbearing yet loving mother, Marie.

The actors who played the Baron children, Michael, Geoffrey, and Ally, are real-life siblings Sullivan, Sawyer, and Madylin Sweeten.

And now, a few fun facts about our real-life family:

The only member of our family who doesn’t share a birthday with a relative is Zack.

Jeff’s birthday on Nov. 11^th is the same as my nephew David’s.

My birthday on Aug. 13^th is the same as Jeff’s nephew Andrew’s.

JJ’s birthday on March 9^th is the same as my nephew Nathan’s.

And Mandie and Danica not only share a birthday with each other (5 years apart), but with my sister Becky, whose birthday is on Feb. 7^th.

Interestingly, our son-in-law fits right in, sharing a birthday with Grandpa Jon on April 8^th. Way to go Dan!

Speaking of birthdays, even though all the “boys” in our family have brown eyes, and all of the girls have blue or green eyes, the boys prefer white birthday cake, and the girls prefer chocolate.

That's all the interesting family trivia I could think of.

And now, here's a special treat for you…

one of my favorite scenes from Everybody Loves Raymond…