Although I obviously have no proof, my personal belief is that our earthly birthdays are not celebrated in Heaven.  I’m sure that there are Bible verses to support my theory.

That said, our loved ones who have gone to Heaven are still celebrated here on earth, by the ones they’ve left behind.

My Daddy

would have been

Seventy-Two

years old today.

He may have been walking crooked (bent to the right) as he occasionally did when his back gave him trouble.

Daddy may have still been telling elephant jokes (why do elephants paint their toenails red?) and playing practical jokes  – now on his grandchildren – since his children have long since figured out his antics.

He would have LOVED his growing family

and

meeting the ones who came along after he left:

Sydney, Chynna, Emily, Levi, Lydia, Thea, and Rory.

He would have loved them all… and they would have loved him!

I’m sure he would have enjoyed events like dancing with my Mama at the Rockabilly Prom.

I imagine he may have walked next door to enjoy old movies with his oldest daughter in her TV room.

His hair would likely have been completely grey and I’m sure his green eyes would still have an “I love You” sparkle.  I’ve mentioned him again and again in my posts:

Num Nell Knox

August 1965

and

Father’s Day

where he claimed a starring role.

Richard A. Reid was born in Palatka, Florida on March 1, 1946.

He lived to the age of 55 and enjoyed A Wonderful Life.

He has been gone since November 23, 2001.

I am not exaggerating when I say that not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I’m looking forward to seeing you again!

We are ALL looking forward to seeing you again!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

If you search the word “Mary” in the search field to the right, you will find that there are four pages of matches.  Some of my “Mary post” favorites are:

“Mary Duckworth Reid“

“August 1965“

and

“Happy Birthday to Me“.

Although “Mary” can be found in many of my posts, TODAY is her birthday and I feel that this necessitates another mention.

As I’ve indicated before, I call her

Mama

and this is for her…

Here’s a birthday wish to tell you
just in case you haven’t guessed… Of all the Mamas in the world
You’re the sweetest and the best.

Your CHICKADEES concur,
not a-one the least contrary…
You ARE the finest grandmother
they love their Mema Mary.

Some know you as their President, and also call you sister

Some others call you cousin

But no one calls you Mister.

Your friends, they all adore you
some for very many years

And when you get together
You are like the musketeers.

Throughout the years your patience
has continued every minute

You sweeten up our family,
I’m so glad to have you in it!

A finer model for “that quote”
in all the world there never was
What you’ve always tried to teach me…

Pretty is as Pretty Does

On this day I wish you gladness,
just like what you pass around.
May your joyfulness continue,
And your happiness abound.

WISHING YOU THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS AND MANY MORE!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

History was made on December 9, 1986 when a sweet baby girl came into the world!

She is my second born and I loved her the second I saw her…

Amanda Kristine Starling

arrived on a Tuesday at 6:06 PM weighing in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.

It was in this stocking that I brought my Christmas baby home with me on the following day.

Her sister, Stephanie took to her right away…

mostly.

And they have been best friends ever since.

Amanda is my “middle child” whom I recognized in the post National Middle Child Day.  And as mentioned in that post, SHE IS an adventurer.

With each passing year, there was something new she wanted to try.

For example…

there was dance

then tee ball

baton

basketball

then piano lessons,

and running

traveling

Although Amanda has an extremely easy going personality, rarely showing excitement, she has always taken advantage of every opportunity to try something new.

She has just about done it all!

Amanda is a smart girl and one of the most self-motivated people I know.

It was Amanda that encouraged our homeschooling experience and accelerated into ninth grade school work with her older sister, so her teacher, aka Mom, would only need to manage one grade level.

Amanda graduated from high school as she was on the brink of earning her AA degree.

And went on to earn a Master’s degree… with honors.

Daughter, Granddaughter, Sister, Niece, Cousin, Aunt, Friend, Coworker, Adventurer, Athlete, Scholar…

Amanda has worn many hats

and the one that is most special…

simply my sweet baby girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!

I am proud to be your Mom!

…who calls me Ma

His little hands stole my heart, and his little feet ran away with it.

My sweet baby boy.

And although he is no longer a little boy, he is still the baby of the family.

Richard

came into the world 27 years ago today.  At the time we had been blessed with little girls, so to have a baby boy join the circle was an exciting event.

Those little girls weren’t completely excited about that event

Although they changed their tune when they discovered it was fun to dress him up like a princess with a purseAnd soon learned that they love him dearlyToday they are inseparable.

Richard had no interest in playing the part of the princess, but instead preferred to play the part of BatmanAnd still likes to play the part of Batman.
He had a handful of special friends as a little boy

Who continued to be friends through the years.

And even remain good friends to this day.
After he became part of the High School Ministry at First Baptist Jacksonville, Rich had the opportunity to participate in a few mission trips, including a trip Nicaragua to help minister to a small community and church there.  As the years have passed his focus continues to be spiritual.

Today he works as a Collegiate Missionary at Campus Church UNF

He is married to a beautiful young lady; His own Mama, couldn’t have chosen a more perfect mate for him. And now he has a baby of his own.

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

I’ll Love You Forever.

I’ll Like You For Always.

As Long As I’m Living…

My Baby You’ll Be.

 It is a fact

that nothing has changed my life so dramatically as did the arrival of

My Firstborn

Weighing a mere 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 19 tiny inches in length, Stephanie arrived at 4:14 PM on Friday,

November 1, 1985

…and the world has never been the same.

My world was not the only one that was altered.

She changed my Mama’s world too!

And brought into being the One and Only Mema Mary!

Stephanie was a pretty baby girl.

In the hospital, when the nurses changed shifts, each would tell me what a pretty baby she was, one commenting that she had a complexion of peaches and cream.

Although it seemed to take years for her to grow hair,

Stephanie was a little princess.

At thirteen months old, she became the big sister…and later on she became the leader of the pack.She is a valued Stein Mart Associate.And she is an integral part of our family…and a beloved friend to many.Stephanie is the Family Fashionista.She is the one I consult for choosing the best shoes, trends, colors, etc.

Stephanie loves to display her creativity in the kitchenand will be my head baker if I ever get that bakery business going.

She may not demand attention, but she draws it regardless.

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Stephanie…

Happy Birthday to YOU!