My birthday thoughts (2014)

Birthday thoughts 2014

Two grandsons were here today and the youngest one asked me "Gamma does it hurt to get old?" I smiled and said "I'll tell you when I get old sweetheart!" he looked up at me with his big blue eyes and said "When will you know when you old? I tawght you alweady old"

I have mixed emotions with birthdays. Sometimes I feel guilty with each additional year I live...My little babies that never made it to three years old... my son Jared, only 30 when he died...and his dad only 33 when he died. I've already reached the age my own father was when he broke his neck and died...but then I look at my grandparents Johnson who outlived their lives beyond their wildest dreams. Grandma was a few months shy of 99 years old and felt like it wasn't fair to still be alive. All her family and friends were long gone. In some ways life was difficult, she missed Grandpa and she was so ready to check out... But yet still in her heart she said she didn't feel any different than she did inside on the day she turned 16. That's the thing with birthdays. They make me stop and think and wonder...what did I learn this year? when am I going to grow up? when am I going to grow old? will I make it through another year? what was my favorite memory from this past year? what did I do right? what did I do wrong? am I losing my memory? Am I going to have to get that gall bladder out or will it make another year? knee replacement...no I can make it another year.... why the heck did I ever.....? why didn't I...?

Each year I am thankful, to you my friends and family, for the memories we make and share and the time we have had together. The stories you tell and the pictures you post. Thank you for being a part of my life...thank you for the birthday wishes...One thing I have come to realize is the importance of time. Time with friends and family is time well spent. And you make time for things...and people....who are important to you. Little things can mean ever so much.

It never ceases to amaze me how fast the little grandchildren are growing up...This year Justice offically got his drivers license and Kelsee has her learners permit...and Kylee and Kyah are just around to corner to driving. How did they get to be so grown up so fast? I remember the arm wrestling we used to do and when I could beat Kevin part of the time... Justice was only two so that didn't count...then Justice was seven and sometimes I could beat him...then he was ten and I had to be very lucky to win. He was stronger. Now little brother Ransom is stronger. I can still win Wyatt...but I know how quickly the day will come when he wins. That is another reality of life...change is inevitable. This year my birthday wish to you is that the changes the come in your life this year will bring you happiness and peace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my life.
Mary