Thirty-five

February 20, 2012

President's Day

There's something about being all together as a family on your birthday.  It just makes you feel so special and loved.  There are the phone calls, and texts and emails and cards in the mail, but being with all your kids and husband was my favorite part of the day.   I loved being in school on my birthday when I was a child, but this day I was so very glad the kids had the day off and Rich was post call, making for a fun filled family day just for me.

Birthdays have a way of making you know how much people care.  If you ever need a pick me up, you should like back to your special day and remember all who made a point to reach out and share their love.  Right before I went to bed the night before, my Dad called to wish me a Happy Birthday.  I woke up to a nice conversation with Jeff.  Brad had called me the day before since he would be on call.  Kurt and Pearl both text me well wishes.  I called both Grandmas and caught up.  Brynn served me a fancy breakfast she whipped up all by herself (cold black beans and salsa included!).  Josh cooked homemade pancakes.  The girls gave me cards.  Brynn unveiled a present with many darling things she found in the basement toy closet.  Trey and Matt dispensed endless hugs.  Greg called from a conference in Las Vegas.  Kristi called and sang.  Marcie and Traci texted.  So did Rich's siblings.  Rhett typed up the birthday song for me in his weekly mission email.  My parents called me later that night. I told my Dad that I'm halfway to 40. "Just think that you're halfway to 70," he replied. I liked that. I have so much life left to live!!   I felt richly blessed for all the amazing people that I couldn't live without.

The day was busy, but perfect.  Josh had a tournament basketball game in Salt Lake we attended.  His team lost, but he played well and we avoided having to tell the coach we would not be available that evening for the championship had they won.  We had lunch at Cafe Rio in Draper, Trey's first choice.  We grabbed a cake and ice cream from Smith's.  We laughed when we noticed they had written "Happy Birtday Cheryl".  Jenny and Andrew and kids dropped by goodies and stayed and visited.  Rich's mom came to our home to watch the kids so Rich and I could attend the Jazz game.  He just happened to get two tickets from work that were on my birthday.  What luck! 

We drove away enjoying the peace and quiet and conversation we could have.  We parked and walked through The Gateway.  A few people were on the street, but it was calm and clear.   White lights lit up the trees and the store window displays shone brightly as the sun had set.  I walked hand in hand with Rich, carefree and happy.  I felt like I was in a movie and enjoyed this little break the two of us could have from a very full and busy life with its constant schedule and demands.  Sometimes those little moments are what you need to keep you going. 

The Jazz game was a show.  Karl Malone was just a few rows down from us.  I loved seeing Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the baby faced Gordon Hayward.  The game was close, but I didn't notice.  I was soaking in the game, dying over the funny 1/2 bear, cringing from the Jazz dancers tacky outfits and gobbling up my cinnamon almonds.  Jazz ended up losing by a few points, but it was a great game nonetheless.

We came home to Rich's mom and dad both at our house with our kids.  They gave me more hugs and loves and made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Who hates having a birthday?  A number is a number.  I don't mind being 35.  I won't mind 40 (though Rich knows it's on a Monday and we WILL be in Disneyland celebrating my milestone).  I don't mind my wrinkles.  I think they show that I've smiled a lot and had a happy life.  I don't mind the loss of youth, I've gained so much in the process.   I don't care the teenagers would label me as old.  They don't understand how life gets better with time.  I try to see things as they really are.  I try to have a better perspective and focus on the thing that matter- family, church, friends and making life better for those I meet.  I am not perfect, I have so much I need to improve, but I hate guilt, I hate being unhappy and I know the way I can stay positive and enjoy life is to see the good.  It's always there, sometimes it just takes a while to find it.

Thirty-five.  Welcome.