A Brand New Day

Yesterday was the dreaded and much feared Birthday. Yesterday was probably the best day of my life to date. It started off kind of poorly I was awakened by nasty charlie horses(one in each leg)...and woke up with a bad headache. When I attempted to take a shower I discovered that there was no hot water...apparently the previous day's windstorm had somehow managed to blow out or suck out he pilot light on the water heater.(This actually happens almost every spring...so instead of being in a nice hot shower...I am laying on the cold cement floor trying furiously to re-ignite my water heater. Well I eventually manage to get the pilot lit....of course I have to wait for the water to heat up...I am also supposed to be at my birthday party at like 11am...so I call Erica and tell her I am running late...she seems ok with this...so I wait around for like an hour and eventually take a very short lukewarm shower.

As I am driving down to Erica's I realized that this will be first time my mom will be meeting her parents.....PANIC.....prayer......so I am freaking out.

Then I get to Erica's

Everything Changes

Her family is already there.....and they are genuinly(sp) happy to see me and wishing me a happy birthday. First of all Erica has laid out this incredible spread of food. Then people start to show up. It turns out quite a large crowd shows up. Everyone is laughing and eating and have a great time. Everyone seems really happy to be there. At some point we do "the cake thing". Honestly this is the part I had been dreading....I honestly really have a hard time being the center of attention.

I have been to a lot of birthday parties...I have experienced the whole singing thing before.....but it was different....everyone seemed to be singing quite loudly and with sincerity. I was blown away....honestly blown away. Later on I find an envelope ....well actually several envelopes and gifts...all with cards....In the one I get that Erica picked out there is a stack of cash and checks....with a note saying that this is all to go toward the purchase of a new IPOD.....whoa....I did not expect anything like this....my friends pooling money to buy me something....after all I am not exactally in need....please I am not being ingracious .....just still marveling at the friends that God put in my life...and there generosity......

I am truly humbled by the level of care and affection displayed to me yesterday.
I thank God for all you who either particpated or wanted to. You have truly blessed me....It means more to me than I can put words to.

Thankyou