Milestones

Today we mark the first anniversary of Dwayne’s mom passing away. As I grow older, I’ve begun to realize that anniversaries—happy and sad events—mark our lives. It gives us an opportunity to look back in gratitude for all that God has done for us and all that He has carried us through. Yesterday was Dwayne’s 48th birthday. Next Tuesday will be my son Aaron’s 27th birthday. My niece and father both celebrate birthdays the following week.

Today we mark sadness in our lives but we also celebrate the joy of family. Instead of allowing the loss to overwhelm us, we are grateful for the 80 years we had with Helen. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer less than 2 months after we were married. She survived and was ours for almost 30 more years. God gave us the gift of wife, mother and grandmother for longer than we ever imagined. We trust that God in his infinite wisdom knew when to take her because ‘precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.’ (Ps. 115:15)

So today I remember the woman who gave me my husband. I celebrate the man I married almost 30 years ago. I appreciate the children we have together. It’s a celebration of God’s goodness. Milestones mark our memories.