I am celebrating a very special birthday tomorrow. Because it is an important milestone, my clever daughter cooked up a special birthday surprise. She knew I would not really want a surprise party!
With help from Gerry they worked out this secret plan, where she put together a spread sheet, and he provided most of the names and addresses of my friends and loved ones.
A couple of weeks ago, completely unknown to me, she mailed to a group of people (I do not know how many!!) a letter with postcards enclosed. They were Postcards with my name and Happy Birthday, and the birthday number, with an address label and stamped. Recipients only had to write a note and put it in the mailbox. It read, 'share your Memories of Best Wishes.'
I then received in the mail the first four postcards. They were from four different locations. I could not for the life of me figure out how that had happened! I was completely mystified. I asked my daughter if she had a clue and she simply said: "Keep checking your mailbox." The postcards kept coming. Many of them from a variety of places, and a broad spectrum of people, though the majority were from people who know me because I served their churches as pastor in some capacity.
The words and memories were overwhelmingly wonderful. Such a joy to read. If it had been an in-person party, I would never have known what was in their minds and hearts. But this offered a rare gift of hearing some of what people thought and felt.
I will always keep the postcards, because they are so special! If I picked two words out of the many that the most people used to describe me, what would they be?
Most often, I was described as
Creative and Kind!
I'll take that gladly!! I could not have picked two words that would have pleased me more!
What a memorable birthday this is turning out to be. And technically, it doesn't even arrive until tomorrow.
