Since my last blog I've had a few revelations. I started my last blog talking about turning 30 and at some point on these pages I planned to talk about how I really didn't want to be 30. But a few days have passed since March 4th and I guess you could say....I'm glad I waited to complain about aging.
On March 8th my parents celebrated their wedding anniversary...I'm a bad daughter because I can't quite remember which it is, but if I had to take a guess, I say somewhere around 36 years. On this day for the past few years, I've really come to understand what a wonderful thing it is that my parents are still married. In a world where divorce comes a dime a dozen....I'm glad to say that I know what it means to have parents who loved us and each other enough to fight for their marriage. The truth is that one of the greatest things about my family is the legacy of love that I was born into. When I look at both sides of my family it is almost unbelieveable that, as big as it is, that divorce is almost non existent. I think about my aunts and uncles and am so thankful for the example they have set for us ...their neices and nephews and their children.
So to my Mom and Dad, thank you for sticking it out. For loving each other that crazy way that you do, for teaching us what it means to love and trust God, to stay together for better or worse, for rich or poor, in sickness and in health. It is a legacy that will affect generation after generation of this family. Your faithfulness does not go unnoticed. And to my aunts, uncles and cousins may your marriages be a source of joy and strength to you and may God teach you more about how much he loves you by the way you love each other.
I say all this to say that turning 30 isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I had a few little tears to fall, and a break-down on the phone with Merissa. And in her words, "this too shall pass". It's true; next year I will only be older. HA HA!! Yeah, I am laughing, not crying. My only hope is that I will be able to look in the mirror in 30 more years and say that they were as wonderful as the first 30. Tim McGraw's song, "My Next 30 years.......will be the best days of my life".
After writing about my sister's birthday and my parent's anniversary I have come to realize that every year I get to live is a gift. My skin will wrinkle, my cheeks will sag (in both places), but there is always more to celebrate about than to be depressed about. The life that God has given me has been like my favorite play ground. Its a place where I've gotten a few bumps and bruises, fell down, got back up, road all the rides with lots of friends who know my name, smelled all the flowers and then picked a few just for myself. My favorite pick was Chris. I love you! I wouldn't trade my past 30 years for anything. They lead me straight to you....And I look forward to my next 30 years with you.