On 10/10/10

I woke up feeling GREAT on 10/10/10! The weather was perfect and I was with people I LOVE. I just couldn’t stop thanking God for allowing me to see my 29th birthday and for blessing me as greatly as He has. I was just downright HAPPY and full of His JOY.

I made a quick stop by my parents’ home, and I had been there for about half an hour when I heard rustling at the front door. I peeked out the window and noticed my gorgeous neighbor, Mrs. C.

Mrs. C has been an inspiration to me for many years. She’s a beautiful woman who was a devoted wife and who is a loving mother and grandmother. She “adopted” me 29 years ago. I’m honestly not sure what it was that made her take a liking to me. All I know is that before I could talk, Mrs. C was right there offering support for my mom and LOVING me as if I were her own. As I grew older, she was right there celebrating all my achievements with me and encouraging me when I was disappointed. She is one person who has ALWAYS supported whatever I had going on NO MATTER WHAT.

I was SO happy to see her on my birthday. She literally made my great day even better. I opened the door and gave her a HUGE hug. She told me that she was trying to sneak a card in the mailbox for me. It made me feel special to know that she remembered my birthday ONCE AGAIN. What a treat! Every year for 29 years Mrs. C has given me a card and a dollar for each year I’ve been alive…and every year I am SURPRISED and immensely grateful when I receive it. (I really am.) I get choked up when I think about it.

My Sunday birthday surprise made me think about my strong circle of support. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people God has placed in my life. He has blessed me with people who have loved and encouraged me through all the stages of my life. These people have believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. They have prayed for me during good times and bad. They have been honest with me, they have reprimanded me when I needed it, they have hugged me, they have cried with me, they have supported me, they have connected me with various opportunities, they have been genuinely and unselfishly GOOD to me…and I am eternally grateful.

I love the fact that God knew me intimately before I was formed in my mother’s womb and that He knew exactly what I would need long before I needed it. I am glad that I am His child and that I have divine favor. I am VERY thankful for my strong support system and for having had the opportunity to know and feel LOVE every day of my life. And I bask in that love.