Fabulous at Fifty

What a wonderful birthday celebration I enjoyed. Fifty is Fabulous!! As one of my former high school teachers wrote in my card…“It’s only a number”. I could not have felt more loved with all the expressions of love and special wishes sent my way.

The celebration began at school on Friday. My sixth graders were so much fun. One of my students with the help of her mom and sister baked cupcakes to celebrate with the class. The kids secretly sent a card around the classroom to sign for me while I was teaching and delighted in the fact that Mrs. Dillon didn’t even know. The class’s gift to me was a “no homework” coupon – which I was happy to put to use for the weekend! I gave the students an opportunity to guess my age and one sweet little girl guessed “21” – she got an A for the day, while one of my fun-loving boys said “64 ½” – he got a zero for the day. Lunch that day came as a big surprise when my co-teacher prepared a wonderful lunch for all of the 6^th grade teachers to enjoy together.

The birthday festivities continued through the weekend with my brother, Kurt and his daughter Megan arriving. Kurt was born on my sixth birthday. It is always special when we can celebrate together. Kate and Maggie began Saturday by taking me out for breakfast. The day continued with a fun family birthday dinner at Ichiban. Much to my surprise the girls had schemed and invited two of my dear heart friends and their husbands to join us. Then it was back to our house for cake and a wonderful evening visiting with friends and family.

The biggest surprise was yet to come when everyone had left. The girls said Mom, now we want to give you the gift you are going to like the most…but it’s going to make you cry. It was then that they presented me with a shopping bag full of cards and birthday wishes. My heart was touched and truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and birthday wishes expressed by dear friends and family from around the world. The girls were right, the card shower did make me cry as we sat together for over an hour with me reading and enjoying the cards, notes, emails and wishes so many of you sent my way. Thank you to each of you for making my 50^th truly fabulous!

The celebration did not end that weekend. The next week the girls from the flower shop arrived with pizza for dinner and we celebrated together. Last weekend two of my childhood friends took me to Pittsburgh to Phipps Conservatory to the spring flower show. We enjoyed breakfast out and glorious day of sunshine and gorgeous flowers at their peak. The three of us celebrated our total of 150 years and a lifetime of friendship!

As I reflect over my 50 years God has shown me so many things. I continue to be amazed by His grace and overwhelmed by his faithfulness in our lives. How grateful I am that His plan included choosing each friend and family member in my life. You each are a gift to me and I thank God daily for the countless people He has placed in my life, whether for a season or a lifetime. You have journeyed beside us through life’s joys, as well as, the trials. I am blessed beyond belief by your “presence” in my life!