I CELEBRATE YOU

TODAY...a birthday!  Melody...27!  A changed heart...MINE! 

This is my confession to our youngest daughter Melody, but it is also evidence of the handprint of GOD in the deep recesses of my heart. I celebrate you Melody, today and forever!

Like birth pangs, I have struggled for the last seven years over each of Melody's birthdays since God swooped up Meagan. Each birthday becoming more painful than the last. Each year closing in the 5-year gap that defined "big sister" and "Little Mel", until there was NO gap. The year Melody was to turn 24, the age Meagan was last on this earth, was the hardest year. My brain just could NOT wrap around the reality. Then Melody shared she was struggling as well. This was going to be one difficult birthday with so many tears.

I labored since the crash over how to respond when people asked me the ages of our children. Aaron, our oldest...easy. Melody, our youngest...straight forward.  Meagan, our middle child...uh...well, she's uh... Then I decided on an unsettling response:  "Meagan is eternally 24. She's in heaven."  Uhhhhh!!! My eyes would fill with tears, but anger would rise up within me.

Consequently, I withdrew to avoid getting into cornered conversations with people when it came to our children. I LOVE our children and could talk about them all day, not to mention our grandchildren. But when faced with new people, their questions are like trying to walk through emotional landmines. 

UNTIL LAST WEEK...

I visited an old friend in town from Louisiana. We were talking "Life" when I shared some of the triggers that wrestled ME, especially when it came to our children.

Then my friend made a statement that lit up my soul! (Perfect timing as Melody's birthday approached.) My friend said, "Meagan is NOT eternally 24!! She is in her prime in heaven!"

My answered prayer! From my Father through the heart of a dear friend: "Our oldest Aaron is 33, MEAGAN IS IN HER PRIME...IN HEAVEN, and my Baby is now 27."

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." Psalm 116:7 NIV

Melody, HAPPY BIRTHDAY My Baby Mama! I celebrate you and all the colors you have brought into my life for 27 years!  I celebrate you whole-heartedly this year knowing our Meag is in her prime! She is unbound by time, and one day we will be with her...IN OUR PRIME!

 I LOVE that! I love Y-O-U!