Or a quote such as:

With age comes wisdom.

We’ve heard these and others before.  Nope, not why I celebrate each and every year…

In 2001 I was diagnosed with a serious heart ‘defect’.  I was just 41 at the time.  Imagine living till 41 and not knowing your ticker has never worked properly?  In fact, it never pumped my blood correctly and my oxygen never performed the job it was supposed to.  How could I not know this?  How was I able to be an active kid and teenager? What about my children that I gave birth to- how did I survive this?  These are all mysteries to me.  However, I know the One who created me, including my custom made heart.  I knew He had a reason.

In 2001 I was given the option of a very risky repair (open heart) or risk no action and live perhaps another 10 years- most of which would be unhealthy since my heart health would continue to decline.  After much prayer, education and consultations, I chose the surgery.  I wanted to continue to be wife, mother and a future grandmom!  I wanted to experience more life.  A risky surgery was the ONLY way this could happen.  I now bear the most beautiful seven inch mark of courage which reminds me of the day my heart was held in my surgeon’s hands, the day God entered into an operating room with me.  This was the most amazing ‘show and tell’ experience.  The doctor was amazed and so were others in the operating room.  This is the day everyone knew what David spoke of in Psalm 139- For I am fearfully and wonderfully made!  They had never seen a heart like mine.  Just like you, I was hand created by the same One who created this amazing universe.  

Since that surgery in 2001 I have had one more repair- last May.  Once again, the impossible was made possible because God permitted it.  After the surgery was finished my surgeon told me that I have the most unique heart he’s ever seen.  He told me he repaired something that he thought was impossible to repair.  Of course, I instantly thought…’with God, ALL things are possible!’

How am I today?  I am a new woman.  Oxygen is flowing properly, heart is beating perfectly, energy levels are above what they’ve ever been my entire life…even as a child.

Why do I celebrate?  I celebrate because the One who created me is the very same One who sustains me.  Every day I run up and down multiple staircases thanking God each time.  I’m not out of breath and am rejoicing for the great opportunity to reach new heights in serving Him.  My entire world has opened up to me.  I AM HEALTHY and NOTHING is holding me back from a full life!  I do not take life for granted.  Without these amazing healings I think where I might be today.  Without the original surgery, I’m reminded I would be with my Creator in my forever home.

I look forward to my forever home, I have a child and some grandbabies, grandparents and inlaws…and a very good friend…already there.  I look forward to seeing what Paul wrote about in Revelation 4- streets of gold…  I look forward to hearing ‘well done, good and faithful servant’.  I look forward to that day but I don’t want to miss a single opportunity He has for me here on this beautiful earth as I seek to serve Him daily.

I celebrate because I know each day is a gift.  We are not promised tomorrow to be able to jump up out of bed and go about our normal day.  Each birthday we receive a birthday gift from our Creator.  We receive the breath of life.

Today I choose to celebrate with some of my great friends for lunch and then with my husband and son for dinner.  Yes, today is going to be a great day to celebrate my 53rd birthday.  This will be an incredible year!  Thank you Lord for this very special gift!

Now, I think I’ll start my celebration by using the stairs!