Monday, October 11, 2010

Birthday MONTH: Day 11

Today is about Reflection...

As you know, October is my birthday month and it's been very awkward for me to post daily as I usually only post maybe twice a week, if that much.

Furthermore, it's even more awkward to be posting about "myself" and making this month all about me.

I'm really a private person in so many ways and although it may not seem that way because I know so many of you...it is true.

~ (you just bring out the best in me!) ~

DSC_0053 (2)

~ I always celebrate my birthday to it's fullest ~

Celebrating it for a whole month really started out as a joke because my birthday falls on October 1st.

Many of my friends and family were always late in flipping their calendars from September to October and therefore days later, they realized that they missed my birthday. They would feel terrible and I would always bounce back with a funny answer like "That's okay...We have the whole MONTH of October to celebrate!!!!"

That's how this "Birthday MONTH" began.

ok.  I'll be the first one to admit that I am one spoiled wife, mother, sister and auntie and I was one heck of a spoiled daughter too.

What I'm trying to say is...

It shouldn't take a birthday to have a celebration.

I received the Birthday card above from my big sister Sherry. I opened it about an hour ago and I laughed at the cover thinking she really knows me well! (It IS all about ME!!!) 

and then cried when I read the inside...

DSC_0054 (2)

Sounds innocently funny and sweet enough, right? To most of you, it should.

But to me, it really is priceless as this card was sent from MD Anderson in Houston. Sherry's husband Freddie has been fighting a brave battle with cancer for the past 11 months.  Yet, they found the time to think of me on my birthday and most importantly, Freddie was well enough to sign my birthday card and that made it OH so special to me...the best gift ever!!!

We should celebrate EVERY DAY because we are fortunate enough to wake up and hug our kids, kiss our spouses and if you're really fortunate...you can still tell your parents that you love them.

This is my first birthday without my Dad. This is my 7th birthday without my Mom. I have to admit that I felt rather empty when my phone didn't ring at 7am on the morning of my birthday, waking me up and making me angry that they would call so EARLY in the morning to wish me a "Happy Birthday Dodie Dodie!!" (eeerrrr) There was like 12 more hours in the day, why did they have to call so early???

Today, I would have answered the phone happily at 3am just to be able to hear their voice again.

Therefore...it's all about reflection and believe me when I say this to you...you're never too old to learn.

Some of us already possess that wisdom.

Check out what this 17 year old sent me...

DSC_0052 (2)

My little niece Payton went to the "Making Strides" Breast Cancer Walk a couple of weekends ago. She bought this t-shirt and sent it to me for my birthday. I opened it up this afternoon and cried some more! Not that it's a sad thing but she remembered that when her and I spent the weekend together a few months ago, I saw someone wearing one like this and I mentioned to her that I loved it. I loved it because I have a very good friend who is a breast cancer survivor (for 13+ years) and she's a Saints fan and I would have loved to get one for her.

So Payton, if you are reading this...your big-hearted gift to me is now a huge-hearted gift for a breast cancer survivor!!!! I'm passing it along to my best friend (Miss Janet) and telling her about our story :)

There's a LOT of reflection going on in my neck of the woods today, thanks to a thoughtful and loving 17 year old and a big sister who sat praying during her husband's 7 hour surgery today.

Today IS all about you.

Every day should be all about YOU!

I'm going to sign out by sharing one of the sentiments Sherry always adds to the bottom of her emails when she sends us updates of Freddie...

Much love to you...LIVE your day and APPRECIATE it! 

(that's for you Team Berger)

:)))

See ya tomorrow!

21 comments:

Lisa Phillippi llelsik@aol.com said...

Reflection is Oh SO Good...you brought tears to my eyes...because of how thankful I am! Thank you for hepling me to remember how precious every day is!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Jodie, what a beautiful post! We must be on the same page. I was feeling sorry for myself today and then thought of all the wonderful things I have in my life and the struggles so many others are going through and decided I would post about it and then here you are with something similar. Soul Sista!

Jane said...

Miss Jodie, you wrote a very beautiful post and one that I can totally relate to. Ever since my husband was diagnosed with ALS in January our motto has become "One day at a time". To us that means appreciating every day that we have together and living in the moment.
I'll be adding Sherry and Freddie to my prayers. He sounds like quite the fighter!
Jane

Malisa said...

Oh, my gosh! Jodie, you made me cry! I don't like to admit that. I am supposed to be cool and composed. Right! Your sister and brother-in-law will be in my prayers and I am not too far away from them if they need anything! And about Payton...what a winner!

I like the way you celebrate your birthday month, Jodie! I think I will just tell you Happy Birthday every day of the month! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JODIE!

MALisa

kana said...

Now you make me cry...I so love to read about your parents and that your dad always called early!! Happy Bday girl....my baby girl celebrates on Oct 20th.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jodie,

I've been reading your post everyday and I must say today you brought me to tears of reflection and tears of joy!! I have a shirt just like that in honor of Angie and seeing it touch someone else's life filled my heart.
I know I'm a few days late but very Happy Birthday to one special person!! You deserve a whole month to celebrate the great person you are!!
I also will add your sister and brother-in-law to my prayer list.
I love and miss you!!
Lauri

Anonymous said...

aw Jodie.... you made me cry! you make me open up my eyes and see all I have! your family is so lucky to be blessed with a loving person such as yourself and you are So lucky to have the family you do ESP the kind of sisters who surround you with so much happiness and love! happy birthday number 11! big big hugs
love ya

Olive said...

Amen and Bravo. I so know what you mean about the call from your dad. Sometimes I try to call mine before I realize he is gone. Well stated."How many loved your moments of glad grace." I have been trying to memorize some of Yeats poetry. hugs♥olive

Chantal said...

I am crying as I read this. Thank you for reminding me of the treasure of today. The psalmist said it this way...this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Love you!!!

Vicki said...

(((HUGS))) and more (((Hugs and prayers))) for your sister, her husband and their kiddos. Reflection is therapy for the soul. It's a good thing.

Bohemian said...

What a beautiful reflective Post. I'm so sorry to hear of your Brother-In-Law's courageous battle. This Post rings profoundly with me today because I had been having a very difficult week and so late today I decided to treat myself to a Mani. The sweet young lady who did my nails was new, as my regular lady was out today. She began to tell me her story about spending the past 5 years working day and night to earn enough money to get the rest of her Family over here from Vietnam. Her Mom is here but her Dad and younger Brother (age 30) were still in the Home Country and her Brother had been also battling Cancer and she wanted him to be able to receive better medical care in the States... but they had to wait on immigration requirements and the cost was very high. Her Dad had sold everything to pay for medical care, including his house... her Brother sadly passed away last week and she and her Mom could not even go Home for the Funeral. Her touching story made me realize how fragile life is and how Blessed my own Family is in spite of our challenges and story... your Post also reminded me of this important Truth and was further affirmation to look for the Blessings and live life fully... God Bless you and your Family... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Dawn... The Bohemian

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Dearest Jodie, what a wonderful post. We should all take pause to reflect on all that is good in our lives. Appreciate the here and now. I am at work and after reading your post, I am feeling a great sense of peace. :)

Wishing you and yours much health and happiness. Lifting your BIL up in prayer and strength for his family. God bless you for your sweet generosity.

Birthday blessings. Friendship hugs, Tammy

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Oh Jodie...you have touched so many places in my heart today. First I am sending positive thoughts and warm hugs to you, your sister and Freddie. I miss my parents happily singing (off tune) Happy Birthday to me in the wee hours of the morning of my day too. The memory is still there but sadly the voices are becoming very distant. This year my brothers did not call me (sniff sniff). I was very sad but as I walked around our campground lake on a beautiful New England day I chose to be happy to be among such a brilliant palette of fall colors and breathing in the crisp autumn air. That evening my sweet son texted me "It is almost 10:10 on 10-10-10...make a wish Mom I love you". It just doesn't get any better than that!!

Anonymous said...

it's one of your best, girlfriend...
happy happy joy joy joy...

~victoria~

trash talk said...

Jodie,
As I sit here blubbering I can't help but wonder how you can be so beautiful inside and out. I love your parents for gifting us with your amazing heart. They must have been something else to have raised such a wonderful woman as you...and your sisters. Happy Birthday over and over again.
Debbie
P.S. Your niece is so thoughtful...wonder who she takes after...hmmm?
P.S.

Suz said...

Jodie,
What a lovely post. I do understand about your bil as we spent the weekend with our friend at Mayo, another wonder hospital, who is also battling cancer. It was a hard, yet sweet, weekend and does make me very introspective, too. Life is so precious and we often don't think about that until someone we love is on the line. I hesitated to blog about it, particularly the seriousness of it, but it is too important to me. You are a model for me, you know! Even if I am old enough to be your mom!
Hugs,
Suz

Rebecca said...

Hey Jodie Girl
Your post is so on the mark, I am so thankful for all that I have been given and yes, I lost my dad but I know he is in such a better place. I am leaving on a trip with my mom at the end of the week and I am so thankful I get to do that...
Thanks sweet girl for reminding all of us to be thankful
Blessings
Rebecca

Robin Thomas said...

Oh these celebrations always have that loss with them don't they? Sigh. I want to say something deep. But instead I can only say, sigh....

Shabby Vintage Junk said...

Oh Jodie what a sweet SWEET post....I have tears in my eyes & want to THANK YOU for making me 'reflect' on just how VERY LUCKY I am....!

Here's to Freddy & the GOOD fight....!!

Cheers,
Tamarah :o)

PS: Would you believe the security word for me to enter just now was 'beautty'....Very appropro....!!

Lisa said...

Jodie,
Of course I'm late on commenting here but I had to say something after reading this. Birthdays are really a time of reflection aren't they? I know you miss you sweet daddy & of course your mom. I get very sad around the kids birthdays more than my own. It makes me so sad to know they will never know the grandparents who loved them so much. Ohh, now I'm all crying. And Freddie, wow, just the words md Anderson send fear thru my bones. How wonderful he signed your card & felt well enough to think of you. I guess you have a lot to be thankful for this month. So many people who love you so much, like me! Your health, an awesome man who pays you a wage to run off & play with your peeps, & a good healthy son. You deserve it all & so much more. Lisa marie

Payton said...

So sorry & sad I missed you when you came, but I was so excited to see you posted about my gift!