I was totally blown away by my daughter's response to seeing my husband and me, as we walked in and surprised her at her birthday dinner for her father's side of the family. Her tears of joy were priceless. It meant so much to her to have both of her parents there to help her celebrate her 30th birthday... at the same time. I will never forget the raw emotion. After dinner she told all of us that as she thought about all of the ways to celebrate this big birthday, all she wanted was to be with her family.
I had to thank my kids' stepmother for making it possible. I was so touched that she and my ex-husband hosted the beautiful occasion. They called us a month prior to invite us to join them. We were going to be the surprise. They thanked us for agreeing to join them.
Believe it or not, I had been waiting over 20 years to hear the words... "I'm so sorry." I heard those words in action the other night as we sat around a table and laughed and told stories. I hadn't had a meal with those people in many years, so it was especially nice.
As I reflected on the evening, the thing that hit me most was that for all of the years where we've celebrated holidays separately, it bothered them just as much as it bothered me. I had no idea; I thought they were okay. It doesn't matter how adult-like my kids are, they still wish they had an intact family. It makes me so happy that we were able to make a memory together for this one.
All of Us
Ali, Granny & Meghan
Meghan, Tim, Gail & John
Granny & Meghan
Lincoln, Meghan, John and Me.
Granny & Me
As we drove out of the parking lot of the restaurant we saw the most gorgeous sunset! I believe it was a God-wink.
"My chains are gone. I've been set free..." Thank you, God!
I was 22 years old when I married her father on June 29, 1984 at St. John's Catholic Church in Fenton, Michigan. She was born on Father's Day close to a year later in 1985. I couldn't have given her dad a better gift. We didn't find out her sex ahead of time (I'm not sure anyone did back then), so we were completely surprised to find out she was a beautiful girl, with dark brown hair. I had a feeling all along in my pregnancy that she was going to be a boy. I barely had any morning sickness and the pregnancy was pretty easy. We lived in Troy, Michigan and she was born at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital. She weighed 7lbs 4oz. and honestly, I can't remember how long she was, but I think she was close to 19-1/2 inches. I got to the hospital at around 7:30am and she was born at 11:35 that Sunday morning. For a first baby, it was pretty much unheard of that she came into this world with such ease.
From that moment... my life would never be the same.
She was such an easy baby and slept through the night at around 6 weeks old. For that reason, we decided to have her brother just 13-1/2 months later. She was so happy and rarely cried unless she needed something. We took her everywhere and I'll never forget her sleeping through a Rolling Stones concert; I still can't believe we took her there! I remember my mother-in-law telling me right away that she was to be called, "Granny." I loved that she told me that, since my mom was called, "Grandma." Her Grandfather on her dad's side had passed away years before, and my dad was called, "Papa."
She was such a happy little girl. She was a little shy around strangers, but for the most part she was pretty outgoing. Her best friend was her cousin, Alexandra (Ali) who was a month younger than her. The bonding experience that her mother, Bronwyn and I had was one that will last a life-time.
She went to Clarkston Co-Op Preschool. Clarkston Elementary for Kindergarten. She went to Academy of the Sacred Heart from 1st - 6th Grade. Clarkston Middle School 7th-8th Grade. She graduated from Clarkston High School. She graduated from Michigan State University. She studied abroad in Brighton, England. She did her internship for Marketing in New York for Ralph Lauren. After college she worked for Ralph Lauren and Coach. She moved to California and works for 7 for All Mankind. I'm so proud of her!
In the blink of an eye, she is a woman. Today she is a 30 year-old woman. When I was her age I had a 6 and 7 year-old. I could go on an on about all of the great things she is, and she'd be mad if she knew I was about to tell you... she is so thoughtful, caring, loving, smart, confident, loyal, comfortable in her own skin, and I have to add that I think she is the most beautiful woman I know.
To me it seems like our age difference is shrinking. If she is 30 and I'm 53... wow! I have no idea what God has in store for her this next decade, but I just believe that it will be good. Real good! When I see her smile it makes me so happy! I am looking forward to this weekend and helping her celebrate with us.
Thank you God, for giving me the opportunity and huge responsibility to be "Mom" to this beautiful child of yours.
With so much love and gratitude.
By Faith,
Angie "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." ~Psalm 9:1-2
Too often when something is bothering me, my first inclination is to go to Google first and God second. Forgive me, Lord. I want answers and I want them now. When it comes to someone acting in such a way that it affects/hurts my children (I know, adult children) you better watch out! I am reluctant to share the details of what happened... yet again (after 18 years!)... so I won't.
When I typed in my "problem," Google eventually took me to Dr. Phil, and that's when I realized I needed the Great Physician instead.
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." -Romans 12:17-21
Lives with guilt from divorce.
Flawless by Mercy Me
There’s got to be more
Than going back and forth
From doing right to doing wrong
‘Cause we were taught that’s who we are
Come on get in line right behind me
You along with everybody
Thinking there’s worth in what you do
Then Like a hero who takes the stage when
We’re on the edge of our seats saying it’s too late
Well let me introduce you to amazing grace
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
Could it possibly be
That we simply can’t believe
That this unconditional
Kind of love would be enough
To take a filthy wretch like this
And wrap him up in righteousness
But that’s exactly what He did
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
Take a breath smile and say
Right here right now I’m ok
Because the cross was enough
Then Like a hero who takes the stage when
We’re on the edge of our seats saying it’s too late
Well let me introduce you to grace grace
God’s grace
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter what they say
Or what you think you are
The day you called His name
He made you flawless
He made you flawless
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
