Unexpected Gifts

Birthday Blessings

My birthday was on Valentine's Day. I tried to ignore it since I was turning (gasp!) 40 which really bothered me. I woke up in a melancholy mood and feared it would last all day.

Within moments I heard about the deaths of two women, mothers both, in their 20’s and 30’s. Suddenly turning 40 looked MUCH better than the alternative.

Refreshed and ready to tackle Mount Laundry now, I took ten steps, bent wrong at the waist and popped my hip. EXCRUCIATING pain. I had a major reconstruction of my hip area that’s problematic if I move wrong. Guess what? I moved wrong. And I knew I’d pay for my bad body mechanics with the sum of pain all day.

I have an extremely high pain tolerance, but this hip pop and ensuing pain caused me to bow over and sob on the spot. Haven't cried like that since I slid down a steep hill and scraped my behind and legs on an enormous cactus patch in New Mexico.

Unaccustomed to hearing me cry like that, my family rushed to see what was wrong. I like to be private with pain. Not a good thing I know. I went from sobbing to laughing because I couldn't get away from the doters because I couldn't walk at the moment. I tried. More pain! LOL! Stuck, I stooped there sobbing, "I'm okay! Go on. I'm fine, really!" While inside I silently screeched, "Can a gal's birthday get any worse?"

Wide-eyed, they scooted away. An hour later my laundry was sorted and both machines were running with every member of the house pitching in without me asking. My sister called and offered to come conquer Mt Laundry. Then my teen niece emerged with food she'd cooked for my family so I wouldn't have to. Picture golden breaded chicken breast tenders, corn, cooked carrots, real mashed potatoes AND a decadent yellow birthday cake with THE thickest layer of homemade chocolate icing you've ever seen!

Then Romance B(u)y the Book's blog owner informed me I'd won a 250 dollar Border gift certificate. Most writers are avid readers.

Could a gal's birthday get any better?

I think the sweetest thing God did for me on that day was show me how very much I have to be thankful for. And when I started to wallow in a melancholy mood, He gently steered me to realize all I have to be joyful for.

In my upcoming release, Ready-Made Family the heroine was put in a place to have to depend on others. I wrote that book when I was in the midst of healing from hip surgery. My author copies showed up just in time for my birthday and helped me to remember just how far God has removed me from that season of chronic pain. My birthday turned out amazing mostly because I was reminded by God and those around me just how loved I am. And how blessed I am to have the family and friends that I do.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What has been your favorite birthday and why? What about your hardest? Funniest? Best gift you ever received? Best gift you ever gave?

Don’t leave me talking to myself here. I’ll not hold up under the boredom. LOL! Talk away!

Blessings, Cheryl Wyatt