Thirty years ago today....

...an amazing thing happened. I was born! I’m not being conceited…read on. So many people say that birthdays are just another day. Yes, they are, but they are so very much more than that.

For most fortunate children they are wonderful days all about them filled with gifts, cake, friends, and fun.

For parents birthdays are most often a fond memory of the day they brought their special children into this world, or they should be. I know that on every December 19th, I will reflect on the year of 2008…like it was yesterday. That was a life-changing day for me. So while my precious daughter Lena Kate celebrates, her parents will celebrate too. She is a miracle in our lives.

There is another special group of people that reflect on birthdays. As many of you know I’m adopted. People sometimes ask if I’d ever want to meet my birth parents. I have always thought I did not need to. Of course, I’m curious. Who wouldn't be? I have weaved a story in my mind of how and why and I want to leave it like that. It is a wonderful one filled with love. So for me, my birthday is more than just another day. It signifies a day where a woman had to say goodbye forever, hopefully for the greater good of all parties involved. I can’t imagine the heartache that might have happened on March 3, 1979. I usually spend at least a few moments on my birthday just thinking about how lucky I am to have been given the chance at life, possibly an even better life. Somebody did not feel they were able to raise me, but she gave up 10 months of her normal life so that I could be here today. Being pregnant is not always easy. I know that my family is ever grateful for that sacrifice, as am I. Could you imagine being pregnant and having strangers ask all the questions they do knowing you were not as excited about the upcoming birthday as they just assume you are? It would be very hard for me to not have some kind of bond grow during that time. I’m now living in the city where that happened and could walk past that person in the grocery store and never even know it. This is ok. I hope that she is at peace with her decision that was finalized 30 years ago today and doing well. I really don’t feel like I’m missing anything in my life by not knowing the whole story. I’ve had the fairytale life thus far with the best parents, brother, and extended family one could ask for. I truly hope God continues to shed his grace upon us. I also recognize there was a birth father with feelings involved. This is my birthday adoption story and I thought I’d share with all of you why it makes my birthday so much more than just another day and maybe give a new perspective on birthdays for those of you lost in the stress of party planning.

Next time you hear of a birthday or celebrate one, hug that person if you can. Think of all the unique birthday stories in the world. Think of those that are miracles and those that brought heartache, some of which are one and the same. Many parents have had to say goodbye one way or another on the same day their children were brought into this world – either to live with a new family as I did, or to live with Jesus in heaven. Every birth is a miracle and we should celebrate each of these. I’m not saying it has to be a big celebration. A reflection and acknowledgement is a better way to encompass the many feelings people experience on birthdays. Don’t get lost in the material idea of aging. Think of all the joys and praises over the past year!

I am off to celebrate the day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! (even if it is the big 30, or twenty-ten as Rachel described it)