And Many More…
Are you one of those who must have the last word? If so, then at the conclusion of singing “Happy Birthday” to someone, you probably added the big finish…. “And many more!!” I’ve come to find those words reassuring, so I always sing “and many more” under my breath in hopes that my quiet wish might help to safeguard the birthday boy or girl’s longevity. I know it’s not a sure-fire guarantee because life has taught me that we can never be sure of “many more”. So, every birthday we have — is a gift. I realized this when my sweetheart received the diagnosis that changed his “many mores” to only “one more.”
“No more” can be a sad thought. I suspect if you’re reading this, you understand what I mean. Even though their passing means our loved ones never grow a year older, to those of us still here on this side of heaven, their birthday continues year after year. To us, though they’re gone, there’s no such thing as “no more”. We’re still here on this earth to REMEMBER there will be “many mores”.
Significant days like birthdays, anniversaries and other special celebrations mean we still love our loved ones despite their absence. That’s one of the things I love about Facebook and Instagram — seeing people post about their loved ones, years past their “going home” date. They are fondly remembering.
All of that explanation was to give justification for celebrating again the one love of my life on this, his birthday. Our family celebrates each other’s birthdays by pulling out the “Special Plate” and telling the honoree what they mean to us. I’m singing “Happy Birthday….and many more” to my Sweetheart today! I’ll let you listen in as I say to him:
“My Sweetheart, you are still so loved, honored, respected, and admired by me and all those who knew you. I’m celebrating you and the mark you made on so many lives, the least of whom is ME! I am more today than I could have ever dreamed possible because of you…..your relentless urging, pushing, prodding, and encouraging me to be all I could be. You always made me feel beautiful — especially when I didn’t feel it. When I didn’t believe in myself, you believed in me! I am so thankful for the amazing husband, father, and grandfather that you were. You always gave yourself so freely to so many. I will never forget the precious, caring and giving way you treated others. You not only opened the door to them, but you fed them and clothed them and tolerated them and gave them truly the Father’s love. You really were a “life enhancer” and a beautiful example, on earth, of Christ’s love. There’s not enough room here to tell you how much you still mean to me, but one thing’s for sure, you received your ultimate reward by getting your fast pass to heaven. My greatest determination is to be there with you someday and have the ultimate in birthday bashes there! And, to all my FB friends and family — YOU ARE ALL INVITED!!!