November 23rd...October 31st...these two days were supposed to be very prominent days in my life. I was 12 months pregnant (or so it felt like) when I my eyes opened on November 23, 1992. The doctor had told me from day one that November 23rd would be THE day and at 18 years old I figured they knew more than I did so I lived for this day. It was just like the day before...nothing happened. As I laid down in bed that night I was still pregnant. Kristina was not in my arms and I thought to myself "I'm going to be 30 years old and still pregnant with her!" I was being punished...I JUST KNEW IT! But, as has been her nature since she took her first breath...she does things in her own time. When she's ready, when she's comfortable. So, she came six days late and made her grand entrance on November 29th.
As October 1st approached I began to countdown because I just wasn't too sure how much longer I could handle waddling around with Gabe. I had always heard that the pregnancy of a girl and a boy are very different and I agree. I think boys just suck the life right out of you, literally! Each day was a struggle and a triumph just by waking up and making it through the day. I wasn't quite sure how in the world I was going to make it to October 31st and then just the thought of a Halloween baby made my stomach hurt. Not that there is anything wrong with October 31st I just didn't want my precious Gabriel born on that day. As the days drudged by I began to realize that he wasn't going to wait. And, just as he has done his entire life, he had to come early. To this very day Gabe must be first in line, take his plate first, and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders if he finishes 2nd. So, in Gabe fashion, he made his grand entrance on October 12th....three weeks early!
Instead of November 23rd and October 31st being absolute blessings in my life, November 29th and October 12th are. But, the funny thing is...November 23rd and October 31st still take my breath away. Funny how what you think doesn't mean anything ends up meaning more than you ever imagined. After all, isn't every day the day the Lord made? "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (NLT).
We spend so much time focusing on what we think is important that we often miss out on what actually is. I love my children's birthdays. Each year I cry over their impending adulthood and beam with pride over their accomplishments. I giggle as I look back at pictures and realize how much they have changed and are changing. I make sure to have a talk with them each about where they've been, where they are and where they're going. But...there is just something about the day that was supposed to be. It is something that I sort of hold close to my heart all on my own. Maybe its a day between me and the Lord. I don't know. But, every day is THE DAY because the Lord made it! Each day is a building block on who we are going to be tomorrow. Each morning is a clean slate and each night is a lesson learned. These are the days...
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