Treasures

Today it dawns on me that five in my family have birthdays this month. Some of them have already passed. Each of these dear ones is a treasure, but I haven't made them feel treasured. I've tried several systems to jog my memory, I had our family mailing list sending out notices but it hasn't been doing that lately for some reason. Even when I got the notices, I usually don't know what day it is, so still missed the birthday honors.

Until Alzheimer's took over, my mother never missed a birthday, anniversary, graduation of other special day. There was always a card and a poem and a $1 bill. Rarely did anyone say thank you to her. When I remember (finally) to send birthday blessings, few folks acknowledge them, either.

Are we so busy we don't take time to show we care? Or is it like me. Someone blesses me, I say thank you, I think about a thank you note or letter to say how much I love them... but the thought never turns to action and the busy-ness of life crowds in until the thought lies in the back of my mind crushed by the weight of my to do lists.

So, today as I prepare the cards and small gifts for my July treasured ones, I will pray the Lord will lead me and enable me to relay to folks just how much I treasure them, each for their own place in my life and each for their unique personhood,.. but my most fervent prayer is that each would see themselves through Jesus' eyes. How life changing would that be!?