Yesterday was my birthday. I received many birthday wishes through social media, and a couple of text messages. it does make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, in a virtual sort of way. But let me tell you about the greatest gift I received. One that will be a lasting memory.
I'm in the middle of a trip back to my hometown on Long Island. It is the first time in over 10 years that the entire family has been able to go. One of the people I wanted to see in the worst way was my Uncle Alan. He is my mom's only sibling. I lost my mom to lupus back in 1993, and have such great memories of spending time with her side of the family, including my uncle. So I made every effort to see if he was going to be around during this week. It so happens that the only day he and my Aunt Pat could get together was Tuesday July 12th. Honestly, I really didn't put it all together that it was my birthday. Packed the family up, met my brother and his family, and off we went for the hour drive out to beautiful Mattituck, on Long Island's North Fork.
The entire time was filled with love. Catching up on each others lives. Great laughs at watching the kids play in the pool. Having my cousin stop by who I haven't seen in over 15 years. Reliving the fun times we had in the past. Remembering my mom. It was just about being together as a family. I could not have asked for a better birthday. Love was the center of it all...
GOD was the center of it all. This verse came to mind-
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)
Take the time with family. Let love be the center of it all. Let God be the center of it all.
That gift of love yesterday was truly the best birthday present I could ever receive.
It is so hard these days to get all the family together so I can understand how joyous it was to see all you family on your birthday. I love my family and haven't seen one of my brothers in over ten years, myself. It would be glorious to have a family reunion with all my brothers (4) and sister and mother. She would be the happiest of all and that would be a special gift for her.
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