More Important Birthdays!!

"The greatest gift I ever received came from God...my family."

Today is my husband and (step) daughter's birthdays! I don't usually use the word "step" because I hate, hate, hate how Disney and society have mutilated that word. All step-mothers are not evil and all step-daughters are not whiney little brats trying to trick their dads into hating their evil step-mother! Sorry...I know, that's another post for another time...on to greater things...like my husband and youngest daughter!!

Today, John is 42 and Caroline Mary is 12. And for as special as birthdays are for people, I'm kinda gonna need C's to be over because, seriously, the kid was counting and reporting hourly how much longer it was until her birthday was ("finally") here -- for the last week or so! ;o) They share their birthdays -- June 4th. I'm guessing it's a great day to be born. I'm sure that John doesn't mind too much, after all, how much more wonderful of a gift can you get on your birthday that your very own gift of a daughter?

I bought my husband a birthday card that I swore Hallmark wrote JUST from me to him and I want to share it with you now because I think it such a beautiful reflection of what I would want to say to him if I had the voice to do so (and I think you will marvel at it as well given this past year of our lives) (as a side note, it is written exactly how Terri writes her beautiful works of art at Bonesigh -- all lower case, intentional line breaks, purposeful words, etc.)...

Husband, any idea where the year went? I think I missed it, running around in circles, taking care of stuff, and I wonder did I love you enough? Did I look at you and really see the remarkable man you are and tell you how lucky I am to be married to you? Well, it's about time I did because I am, you know...I am and I do and I will and I hope you know it.

I often wish I would have met John first (b4 my first husband) but then I stop to reflect that this was not God's intention for me/us as I'm not sure I would have known how to love him like I do now. And certainly I would not have the gift of Caroline to share with him.

And she is a gift -- to the world really. I know why God blessed me with her. She is my reminder to dance, to be free, to wonder if the sky is purple and to make believe. She tests me most every day, and most every day I thank God for sending her to me. I'm proud to be her Ma and I'm a better person because of her. She is my forever Butterfly.

Every year, I get a picture of the two of them together as they prepare to indulge in their birthday cake or cakes which usually they either fight over who gets to pick, they get both of them, or if all of the stars are aligned just so, they even choose one (gasp) together!

Happy Birthday to the man and the little lady that fill my life to overflowing.With Carolyn for their annual Triplet Photo