Heartfelt Ramblings

I know I usually post things about the boys and just random life happenings, but today I feel a little more nostalgic and well…just plain lucky. We were at our friend’s the Clark’s this evening for the celebration of our Godson Ethan’s birthday with their family. Unfortunately I didn’t get to participate in the cake lighting and singing of “Happy Birthday” because I was in the back of the house nursing Gavin. It was perhaps my very first time to simply hear the tradition rather than see and fully encounter the event. However, it was actually quite nice to just listen to the ongoings and use only my one sense of hearing while the singing and the family celebration was happening. After they sang the family counted to “4” in Spanish (Claudia’s family is Columbian) because that is how old Ethan is now. At that moment I felt so lucky to be included in the celebration and I was filled with warmth. I thought of my own family and the traditions that we’ve adopted and what I have and want to continue to carry on with my children. I thought about how there are families everywhere who celebrate these milestones and moments all the time but may never get a new perspective like I did today. Without the distraction of all the people and commotion that is associated with a kid’s birthday cake, I almost felt more included than if I had been in the same room. All I could do was smile really big and look down at my beautiful son and consider myself blessed. Blessed to have the family, friends and life that I do. I guess I am “giving thanks” a little early this year for all the gifts the good Lord has given us. We should give thanks every day, no matter the time of year but sometimes daily life just gets in the way. But today daily life brought it all to the forefront of my mind. I hope we are all lucky enough to get these reminders every day of our lives.