Today was my birthday.  It was a simple day, similar to so many others.  Yet, it gave me a chance to stop and reflect a bit.  (Not that I necessarily reminisced over all 28 years of my life to date to reach an epiphanal conclusion.)  Quite simply, I concluded: I am blessed.  I don’t use that word lightly…I don’t like to tritely throw around the cliche “blessed” term, but for lack of something more articulate at this time of night, I write just that.  I am blessed.  I am thankful.  Life is full and rich and good.  I am grateful.  I love where we live in this season and place.  I am so thankful for the many people near and far who have touched our lives in ways they may never fully know.  Moreover, I know that more than dear friends, an amazing husband, a warm home, rich memories, an incredible combination of work through school and camp and so much in between——-I know that I have hope beyond whatever circumstances….a hope in God’s grace.  I am so thankful at the mere thought of being embraced in the Father’s love…not because I’ve got it together or figured out by any means, but because He loved me first. 

(I got up on the morning of my birthday to find my birthday present from Larry pictured above.)