Unexpected Milestones

  I love birthdays.

60th birthday

While some may dread them as a sign of getting older, I have always found them a wonderful opportunity to celebrate life. To celebrate the person who is being honoured on that day. To celebrate friendship. To celebrate experiences that have formed the individual and brought them to where they are today. To celebrate how loved they are and how they have loved others.

On either side of the Equator (Quito, Ecuador)

Dress up night in Egypt

Graduation

When you start to examine a life, there is much to celebrate. 

Freezing our butts off in Antarctica

Iguazu Falls in Argentina

Rockin' the head scarf in Africa

Perhaps the best shopper ever

I also love to celebrate birthday weeks… because why not extend a celebration over a longer period of time? 

Mother-daughter Disneyland trip!

Taking the grandkids for rides in the wheelbarrow

We're pretty funny....

This week is my mom’s birthday week. On Saturday, she will be turning 61. 

Surprise 60th birthday dinner and musical

 60 is a pretty big milestone, which might overshadow the next few birthdays. However, we will celebrate 61 like never before, because it is a milestone we didn't think she'd reach. 

Chillin' with the little ones...

Orchid gardens in Singapore

Mimicking tigers in Thailand

 A year ago we sat in the doctor’s office, where the doctor told my mom she had terminal cancer, had less than a year to live with no other alternative and sent her home to die. After a rapid decline, she had a turnaround and a year later, she’s still here. When my mom was 17, she had stage 4 Hodgkin’s and was given six months to leave. After being healed, she is still here 44 years later. So although we may not get another 44 years with her, I’m thankful that we have already had more time together than predicted either time. I'm thankful we can trust God whose timing and ways are perfect even though they may baffle us at times.

Catching a ride in Japan

Pre-dinner selfie on a cruise

 So, this is a birthday week to remember as 61 was a milestone we didn’t anticipate. It hasn’t been the most amazing year, but it has been one intermingled with great joy and sorrow. One of facing the reality of death and having it reveal the significance and value of life. One of laughter and tears. I am thankful for every moment, the good, the bad and the ugly. I am thankful for hearing my mom snore at night as it is a sign of life. I am thankful that although we have no idea what the future holds, we are still making the most of every day.

Cheering on the Canucks

Jumping in Turks and Caicos

Birthday celebrations!

So, this is a few days early, but I wanted to post a birthday week tribute to my mom to wish her a happy birthday. 

Fun on Splash Mountain

My mom still hadn't caught on to what facial expressions we are supposed to have for selfies

I am thankful for a mother who has loved her children with every ounce of herself.

For a mom who has also been a dear friend.

For a mom who is always up for anything.

For a mom who instilled in me a love and desire for the Lord.

For a mom who introduced me to musicals, concerts and roadtrips.

For a mom who taught me how to appreciate other cultures.

For a mom who has traveled around the world with me (7 continents, 45 countries).

For a mom who taught me that you need to be gentle with yourself and laugh at yourself.

For a mom who showed me that life is better when you pee your pants from laughing too hard.

For a mom who modeled hospitality and love for others.

For a mom who never let me be bored as a child (lest I become boring as a person).

For a mom who is a fighter.

For a mom who is generous, fun, loving, and adventuresome.

Now we got it...

Dinner with the princesses (because that was designed for adults, right?)

Still pretty funny

The list could go on, but I will stop there. As the pictures in this post demonstrate, the last 61 years (okay I have only been around for 29 of them), have been filled with love, laughter and life. I am thankful to celebrate all this with my mom this week and into her 61^st year. I am beyond blessed to be her daughter. 

Crescent Beach

My mom and I!

Happy birthday Mom!