Birthday Joy

If by some Infinite Design that far exceeds my cloudy, limited understanding, that "great cloud of witnesses" that surrounds us includes the children who have proceeded us to Heaven, I think my babies must delight in my overflowing joy today.

Noel Alexis, our first (who would be 15 next month!) was our "minister of needs". Joel Samuel reminded us that the Lord would redeem/repay the years the locusts had eaten. He was asked of the Lord and we eagerly await reunion. Hannah Rose, our beautiful daughter who did not get to "bloom this side of the fence" was due just a year before her still-earth-bound sister, Princess R, was born. I look at one and can't help think of the other, but while the tears still occasionally come, my heart more and more delights in the unique beauty of each daughter and I can be thankful for my joy in parenting R and in Hannah's joy in daily seeing our perfect Father face-to-face.

I'm 38 today, 2 weeks out from our 18th wedding anniversary that basically was the beginning our of journey to parenthood (we started actively TTC by November). My yet-earth-bound miracles are 10 1/2, 7 1/2, 4 1/2. God truly has redeemed those broken, bitter years. My amazing husband and these three precious joy-bringers greeted me with birthday singing and gifts and (most treasured of all) handmade birthday cards before I was even out of bed this morning. My heart overflows with blessings!

I cannot mark any significant landmark without my heart and mind flying, at least for an instant, to those who are not here to share the day. I will not pretend that the tears of sorrow in parting do not still occasionally flow. But if they can see me, I think they are joyfully thanking the Father right alongside me for the healing He has worked in my heart! God is good, all the time. Praise His holy Name!!!