Birthdays are great times for reflection. Birthdays for our children are even more so, because we remember the beginnings, the small steps, the first accomplishments, the hugs, the times watching the little ones sleeping contentedly, and the scrapes and bruises of body and spirit. And we never count the cost of unconditional love.
I’ve discovered that our “babies” are always our babies, even when now, especially in our recent move, our “child” becomes the leader and we, living in our advanced years, become the ones needing help and nurturing. The roles are reversing.
Today is the day to celebrate our daughter Nancy’s birthday. She is one of the most sensitive and caring people I know. She loves with a depth I admire. She notices those who need her help and gives it willingly. she nurtures the person who is struggling emotionally, she identifies with those who are lonely or hurting, and she ministers with wisdom and prayer. She uses her talents to bless others, never, well rarely, counting the cost. She gives herself tirelessly, even to the point of exhaustion, to complete a task, always accomplishing projects with excellence. She selflessly gives her time and energy to better others’ situations. She can be counted on by her colleagues, her friends, and her family to give her all to anything she sees that needs doing. She rarely takes time for herself. Amazing.
We are so proud of who she has become. She is caring, energetic, unselfish, and cheerful even when she is hiding her “I’d rather be doing something else.” Her commitment to others is legendary. I know personally how hard she works for things like elementary festival, student events, auditioning time outside school hours, duties for the children’s program at church, and most recently, helping us move. Her expertise at producing materials, researching, seeking resources, driving miles out of her way to accommodate others, and always going above and beyond what’s expected is just who she is. She always thinks of others’ needs before her own, making changes in her plans, which could be much simpler, to make things easier for someone else. We say thank you not nearly enough.
I enjoy watching her work with children, especially her nieces. To say she brings her students’ concerns home with her is an understatement. She knows them personally, cares about them deeply, and rejoices when she sees them achieve. She’s a confidante to our granddaughters, and encourager, a counselor when they are facing challenges, and a great role model, teaching them with grace and by example.
She is talented in so many things. She’s an artist, a wonderful nature photographer, and wonderful at organizing and decorating. She’s a fabulous cook and baker, and gets me out of all kinds of “fixes” in using my computer and publishing my books. In her choice of music as a career, she is always prepared for concerts, cares deeply about the excellence of performances, and is always ready to tackle new challenges. She is a great advisor to the music teachers she supports in her job as string consultant, and delights in participating in extra events like their concerts where students reveal what they’ve achieved. Hopefully, her colleagues realize what an asset she is to their programss.
Best of all, she accomplishes all she is with humility and hates to call attention to herself. She will always remain the shy Nancy she was as a child, giving credit to others, and content to be the delightful presence who lets others shine in the spotlight. It may be her best quality, and the one her proud mom enjoys seeing the most. Although we won’t see her on her birthday (it’s always the busy first weeks of school time in Florida) we will fit in her celebration when we can. And in her usual deference to others’ needs at Christmastime and birthday time, it’s all right to take the back seat to others’ wishes. That’s just who she is and why we love her so much.
Happy birthday, Nancy. We love and admire you and we’ll celebrate you sometime in the busy weekend ahead.
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