birthday rain

this is a copy of what i wrote in my other blog for my birthday... same thoughts i wanted to share but didn't have the time last night... too tired... i have only minutes left to savor this day... i chose to write down my thoughts... let's see... how has my day gone? i blogged my first wee hour and spent the rest in quiet reflection... talking to God about my year... i heard mass at 8am and the priest's homily tells of Christ inviting us to "come and see..." to come and be in touch with Him... how apt... i took a picture of the altar after the mass... the red altar cloth and flowers calls to me, Christ on the cross speaks to me to tell me how much he loves me, and to say: "happy birthday... today we begin another chapter on your journey... do not be afraid, I will be with you..." I had planned a dinner for my kins, spontaneously... so i did some grocery... thanked the greeters and then went on ahead with the day's workload... which was a lot... the takings and rushings, clients and all... plus i have to cook and prep... so i juggled celebrating with work and still found time to wander out the yard to take pictures of God's art gifts for me... while there, seeing hopeful hints in seemingly forlorn places... i felt He asked me what i wished for... i said, 'what else is there to ask, Lord... you've given so much recently already...' and then a sudden thought crossed my mind... 'one blessed smiley face will be fine.' but i do not want to make demands so i just told God 'whatever it is you plan for me... ' while i was cooking merienda for my workers, the lowland white eye chirped for me... wonderful! verde the bird, came back to say a greeting... while i was preparing for my guests... my cousins,inc... sent a surprise cake, balloons and gifts in lieu of not being able to come... they so know my kiddie heart is so easy to please... i forgive them because of birthday and bedtime bear... after a while... it rained... really hard... torrents and torrents of it... with lightning and thunder... i said to myself...' God knows i love the rain so he gave me this much...' i went out for a while and took pictures of the rain, too. it was early evening... will my guests brave the rain? i said whoever will come will be those that are meant to spend my day with me... after the rain... some kins made it, them thoughtful ones... and a surprise! one from my good friend whom i haven't seen in a long while... and then Mama Mary... the block rosary image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help came too... what a guest list! as i was seeing my friend off.. i saw the last quarter moon up in the night sky... i took pictures again... another gift from my Almighty Father... i have this philosophy that it isn't the number of people around you that matters... i'm best me with just a intimate circle who genuinely cares... it's not the material gifts... it's seeing which are the real and true gifts... my birthday officially ends right now... and i have an eternal thankful heart to the Giver of Life... my delicate birth meant something... it's been 30 odd years now... thru the intercession of the Blessed Mother and St. Jude and the prayers of all those who cared for me... i lived... i survived dying at the time of my birth because of the will of God and His grace... i know, i am meant for something! He has a plan which is now unfolding... again i say, something is amidst... i will be patiently waiting for my cue... for now i just be... so, today, i am born anew... in faith... in spirit... my special self still healing where things are broken... braving and trusting where fear and doubts once abound... running my race... journeying towards my horizon... always the dreamer, the thinker, the hopeful heart... trying my hardest to be... most certain now that Christ is with me. thank you to everyone who's been part of my life/world one way or another.... and a great thank you to God, my Loving Father... for everything from today's catextism: give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. --- the House of Nigeria a really fave quote: when you are striving to get out of the forest of your imperfections, the universe will nudge you a long. you will meet the people who will help you discover who you really are...MNF ps: special thanks to a great soul for cheering me on and somehow traveling with me.