Birthday Gratefulness

Today I turn 42. I made it! Just a few months ago it wasn’t a given I would see another birthday. I’m thankful God has been kind to let me complete this year and to greet a new age. 

Today I’m thankful to be alive. To exist. To get to be 42.

I love celebrating my birthday. As a St. Patrick’s Day baby, I get a parade, a color, a party, a jig, and even rivers dyed green! It’s a fun thing to have a birthday on a minor holiday. Happy St. Patty's Day to all of you.

However, this year, my perspective has changed. I’m just grateful to have a birthday. It’s okay if things aren’t perfect or even good. I get to be here. I hope that if you don’t enjoy celebrating your birthday, you can at least be thankful for another trip around the sun. Celebrate the day as a gift from a God who loves you.

Here's a portion of St. Patrick's prayer that seems fitting for today:
 

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through a belief in the Threeness,

Through a confession of the Oneness

Of the Creator of creation.