Fiftieth Celebration

I am 50! Wow. It's been two days and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. I only believe it ‘cause my birth certificate says so! I don’t know what 50 is supposed to feel like but I feel great dispite my bum knee. Patsy, Kim, Roshann, and Jaha threw a “surprise” birthday party for me on Friday night. A birthday celebration.

It was at Recreation Park. I got there about 7:45 or so. Michael Blake and nephew Steve were waiting for my arrival and escorted me in. I was all prepared to “act” surprised but when I saw the people I really was surprised!! I got soooo happy and excited. And I stayed happy and excited allll night!! I forgot to take my camera out to have someone take pictures!!

Kim crowned me with a “50th Birthday” hat and necklace, and got things under way with prayer and I followed her with a surprise invitation to lead praise and worship! That’s how you get a party started!!.

From there, Robyn took over as hostess and oh my goodness. The girl is crazy!! I mean I always knew that but Friday night, she was off-the-chain funny!!! Totally off the cuff and in the moment. Reuben led the guests in shouting out fifty adjectives describing me. That was really incredible ‘cause I didn’t think they’d get past 10! But they quickly came up with 50 words! It was absolutely incredible!! Cathy Crowell, Julie Harris, Teresa Warren, and Lynette and Mary Green sang to me. They were amazing! The night continued with family and friends sharing their sentiments and views and personal testaments as to my place in their lives. And there were balloons and bubbles, a birthday cake and two versions of the “happy birthday” song. I was completely overwhelmed!

One of the “50 Things I Know For Sure” is every now and then I need to know that I matter. Well, mission accomplished on Friday night. Family and friends came out and showered me with love. And I felt it and embraced it. All of my insides shifted causing my errors and faults and excuses for who and why I am to fade away. I was humbled yet empowered. I felt loved and accepted; my being was validated! Sharon Jackson settled it all for me when she referred to me as a "wink" in people's lives when I share my being through my gifts. She says it's how I give love. She held me close to her and spoke to my heart. With that, I experienced a new level of freedom and became present with my own “goodness” and purpose. And there was peace inside of me; a peace that opened my heart to receive and give “love”. A feeling I’ve never felt before. It was God through His people.

I am so grateful to everyone who was present to share with me on that night. All of them are part of the transformation that is taking place in my life. I still see their faces. . . every single face. I still feel their hugs and I still hear their voices; their kind, genuine words; their songs. It was a defining moment for me and I'll never be the same.

I'm grateful.