I opened the card I got in the mail. Oh no! Another birthday? I hated the reminder that another birthday was coming up: a milestone one! But when I mentioned this to a friend, she replied: "Thank God that you are still alive. Many people don't make it to seventy-five, or if they do they are in a hospital, or have Alzheimer's, or -- " That got me thinking! Yes. It is true. My mother did not have the privilege of reaching my "ripe old age." She died of cancer at age forty-nine. My oldest sister was killed in a car accident at age forty-five. Our love-son drowned at age 20. What's the matter with me? I am here. I am healthy. I have a sound mind. My husband is still with me. I enjoy my life and my home. Thank the Lord for the gift of life.
There is just one thing in your life
That you can be most certain of:
It’s this hour; this minute; this second...
All gifts from heaven above.
Whatever you do with this treasure
Is for you to decide, it is true;
But remember, however you use it
Could determine the future for you.
Let us treasure this most valuable gift we will ever have. Don't let it slip into yesterday without having used it to God's glory. We shall be held responsible for this invaluable gift.
A Birthday Butterfly A birthday’s like a butterfly, "I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
It lingers but a day.
Its bright and cheery presence
Is never here to stay.
But for this day remember,
and ponder what I say:
forget about your worries.
they, too, will pass away. 
Just take some time to revel
in pleasantries enjoyed.
For one small fleeting moment
may you life's trials avoid.
And like a fleeting butterfly
one’s life must move along.
The day's a lovely memory
enjoyed, and then it's gone.
Psalm 13:6
© Helen Dowd