Today is my last day of year 47.
I like firsts better than lasts. So sometimes I try to commemorate lasts with lists (because lists? Are always the right decision.) I considered many listy possibilities:
- 47 people who mean the world to me (I could never narrow it down)
- 47 things I loved about this year (most of them would be people, so see the above problem)
- 47 reasons I hate my Android (this one had merit, but I try not to be negative on the day before my birthday.)
- 47 reasons I know God is good (I wasn’t ready to cry all the tears a list like this would require.)
- 47 reasons I need to work out more in year 48 (depressing!)
- 47 places I want to see (too pinteresty)
- 47 things I want to accomplish in the next 47 years (Too. Much. Pressure!)
- 47 verses that sustained my soul this year (love it -but quite frankly didn’t want to look them all up.)
Finally, I think what I’ve landed on is this: sometimes life is just too big to box in to lists (gasp!) In my case, I think a list would dangerously deconstruct the grand theme that the Designer of my 47th year has been steadily, graciously weaving into my life. He’s been crafting it so consistently into the fabric of who I am, that I’m starting to see it’s pattern take shape in my words and thoughts and love. So, the summation of year 47 is the very same as it was in years 45 and 46:
Life is hard, but God is good. His work is always and only beautiful.
It remains as true today as it was on the day I was born, on the day I got my driver’s license, on the day I married my beloved, on the days my kids entered this world, on the day my world turned upside down. It is true. And this truth holds me together as certainly as gravity holds my feet to Terra firma. This one truth is all the hope I need in heartache and joy, triumph and tragedy, life and death.
So, farewell, sweet 47. You were hard and wonderful and awful and awesome. You were all the things a Big Year should be.
Welcome, 48. I’m not as young as I used to be; but I’m smarter and stronger and a whole lot more scrappy and I’m ready for you. Bring it!
Happy birthday! (Tomorrow). I too love lists but like you, WAY too much to write down! I am so blessed in every year of this life that I just can’t write down all the blessings that God has put before me. (I’ve tried before and just decided to just group them together and be thankful and gracious for everything) 🙂
There’s a sense of security in the consistency of such a positive summation of one’s life year after year so I think this is the best commemoration ever. Have a wonderful birthday, Bo, and a continuing blessed year.
It seems you and I share our birthday! I hope yours is exceedingly full of blessings!