Celebrate Life

Daughters are different. I have three sons and one daughter and I’m here to tell you: daughters will pull your heart strings in more ways than you thought you could ever imagine. Sometimes they pull and make you proud. Sometimes they yank it and make you cry. Occasionally they will come really close to giving you a heart attack. They are also worth it.  

   I love all my kids the same, boys and girls. Having only one girl really spotlighted the differences, however. Even though my daughter kept up with all her brothers and was quite the tomboy, she always gave off another kind of vibe. As a second child, she had an older brother to follow, and I know that’s not easy. As an older sister to two brothers, she managed to lead them into both safety and trouble. A mentor for chaos at times, she helped her mother, and I take care of the “little ones” even if they were just two and three years her junior. When you’re outnumbered four to two, parents take what help they can get. We did.  

 My girl, Candice, has always had a beautiful soul to match her outer self. She has a heart for people, much as her mom did. She has empathy in abundance. She cares. Like her mom also, she has never once met a stranger. I’ve seen her go from “hi” to “tell your mama and them I says hey” just with a ten-minute conversation in line at the Walmart. And she will remember all of them. It amazes me. It makes my heart grow.  

   Candice has a birthday this week and it’s a special one. I won’t call out her age, but let’s just say she has one more year and she’ll be at the top of that hill. It’s been a rough climb for her but she’s getting there with style. Another reason it’s special is that at the end of August she’ll be three months sober. She initiated it on her own, and she’s been doing awesome. I couldn’t be prouder of her.  

   August is “birthday” month for my family. My grandson, Sammy, turned six on the 18th and I’ll turn sixty on the 26th. Candice’s was the 19th. My wife’s stepfather shared Candice’s birthday and her mom would have been seventy-nine on the 22nd. Max and Ethel (Gma) will be sorely missed this Saturday, as we celebrate all those August Birthdays at one party.  

   As we get older, the importance of celebrating life changes. It’s not about what you get, but where you are. Being with those you love, and who love you is the best gift anyone can get. And cake. That’s pretty good, too.  

Happy Birthday, Candice and Sammy! (and me!) Daddy and Gramps are so proud of you! 

Now let’s eat some cake! 

God bless Y’all!