no power in the 'verse

[T]his day is surely yours, but it also belongs to those of us who anxiously awaited your birth 33 years ago and sent up prayers of thanksgiving when you arrived, a beautiful, healthy girl—with sticky-outy ears!  You were so adorable.  Your coming was indeed a family event. 

I remember the cute room your Mom and Dad had lovingly prepared for you—and the happily decorated bassinet that your mother dragged around with her whenever she went from room to room.  It was a small house you lived in, but your mom didn’t want you out of her sight.  So there you were, sleeping or cooing in your bassinet not three feet away while your mom cooked dinner, folded laundry, talked on the phone (wall phone with its long extension cord to stretch to all parts of the room—no cell phones in those days), took her shower, stretched out to rest.  Wherever she went, you went.  I laughed at her but I understood.  You were too precious to trust to the fickle universe.  If she could see you, she could protect you.

And so you grew up, well able to protect yourself—and protect those encircled by your love.  I’m deeply grateful that God placed me in that circle. 

Celebrate BIG today … and know that I love you.