Birthday Bliss

What can I say about my birthday bliss?   There have been birthday wishes, greetings and songs.  Prayers and hugs.  Laughter and good times.  A marvelous day with all the moments threaded together with loving kindness to create a celebration of life with family and friends.  As my birthday draws to a close, I look forward to peaceful slumber.       

        

Reflecting on today, it has been a very happy birthday indeed.

 

What goes best with chicken lettuce wraps? Friends!! :)

Don’t get me wrong, I love my new job, but I miss my friends from the old place.  While I am establishing friendships at the new place, there are roots and history with my friends from my previous job.  I treasure these friends and intend to safeguard the relationships so that we do not grow distant and then eventually strangers.  I’m sure my buddies would agree!

Tonight a trio of us dined at PF Chang’s China Bistro.   Some would call it a rut, but I absolutely love, love, love the chicken lettuce wraps.  I’ve tried similar offerings at other establishments, but nothing compares (at least to me).   It’s my favorite dish of all time at any restaurant.  And what makes them even better is enjoying them with friends!

Tonight was so much fun!  I loved catching up over dinner and then over dessert at another restaurant.  The stories that made me laugh until my sides hurt were great, but the best part of the evening was spending time together.  Thank you friends for a fabulous time!    

Just for giggles...

I have been experiencing internet issues so I have not been able to post for two days!  And due to having to work on those problems, I have nothing prepared right now.  But I thought I might just pop a picture in this post just for giggles.  The mug in the picture below was a thank you gift to me and every time I see it, I smile!  :)    It's Adorable!  (the mug not my smile)  Even though I get a giggle from this mug, there is truth on it I take it to heart.  Hope to be back to writing tomorrow!  Have a fantastic day and pray a latte.  Cheers!

A Hero Responded...

Today is September 11, 2011 and the anniversary of another moment where time stood still and forged a lasting memory.  However, this post is not to relive 9-11 as I had drafted while waiting for my clothes to dry at the laundromat.  Something happened on the way home from there which brought tears to my eyes and the acknowledgement that heroism will never fail to exist somewhere. 

With laundry done, I was headed for home with the blog ideas fresh in my head.  Just a ways in the distance there appeared to be a car off to the side on the opposite side of the road and so I slowed a bit in case there was an accident.  My heart ached instantly at the sight of an older man steering an antique car while pushing it all by himself.  Immediately, I prayed “Oh God, help him.”  Before you pick up stones to throw at me, hear me out.  My vehicle was heading in the opposite direction, but I said “I’ll go back.”  Even though I know nothing about cars and completely out of shape, I could help somehow.  As soon as “I’ll go back” left my lips, a mini van passed me heading the other way and pulled over.  It all happened in a matter of seconds.  Watching in my rear view mirror, I saw a hearty young man hurrying to the old guy’s aid.  Tears flooded my eyes.   God answered my prayer!  He sent a hero to help where I probably would have been a hindrance.  The right person was sent for the task at hand, but this time it wasn’t me and I am trusting in God’s providence.  I will never know what caused the car to break down or why the young man stopped to help, but I do know the events I witnessed would make a much better blog post than what I had already written.    

Sharing what occurred today seemed fitting for Patriot Day and the tenth anniversary of 9-11.  Though we cannot forget what happened on that day, we can choose to honor the responders and victims by being every day heroes.   I wasn’t the hero of this story, but I wanted to encourage others with the heroism I observed today.  Sure, it was just one man lending a hand to another, but to the older gentleman and this witness, it was a hero that responded.

“…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…”  Galatians 6:10 NIV