Lifestyle, Musings From An Active Mind

Reflections On The Day Before My Birthday

by Bedlam & Daisies
Sunset Roanoke Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke Virginia

The Day Before My Birthday

If the title didn’t give it away, tomorrow is my birthday.

Birthdays always seem a time to ponder and reflect about how far I’ve come and where I’m heading.


 What do I want to accomplish?  

Am I being true to who I’m called to be?


September 11th is a day of remembrance.  

A day forever seared into my reference of the past.  

Most of us who were alive in 2001 can recall that day with a vivid memory.  

My oldest child was 1 1/2 and the middle child less than a month old.  

My mother had come over and we were going to head over to my aunt’s a little later for our weekly lunch.  Then my husband called to tell me to turn on the news because a plane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers.  After that call, I turned on the news and watched as a second plane collided with the other Tower.

 My mother and I watched in shock.  

The world became a very surreal place.  

It didn’t feel as though this could be happening.  

We would travel to my aunt’s and watch the news with towers on fire, the collapsing, the dust, the anguish.

…And life would be forever be changed.

I had plans for an evening out with friends the next night in celebration of my birthday.  

We thought about canceling, but life continued even in the midst of tragedy (something I would feel firsthand during my oldest’s brain injury).  It was a somber occasion with our thoughts constantly on those hurting and those searching for their family, those seeking answers.  In the days following, we would find relief when somebody was rescued, feel thankful to those whose sacrifice averted even larger tragedy, and worry if another attack would happen.

…And life would be forever be changed.

My husband had his 40th birthday two weeks later.

I had planned a trip to North Carolina as a getaway.  

But I just couldn’t bear to leave my children to get on a plane so close to the attack.  

It was an optional trip and the fear was too fresh.  

I still wanted to make his day special so we planned a weekend getaway to Disney World.  We lived in Naples, Florida still so it was a short drive.  The time there was very surreal.  If you’ve ever been to any Disney theme parks then you know that standing in any space empty of people is unheard of.  

There were people there, but it felt like you were the remaining people after an apocalypse.  

Most people were avoiding places that were typically large gathering spaces, in fear that those places would be a target.  

And to be honest, I was apprehensive about being there, but I also didn’t want to stop living.

…And life would be forever be changed.



14 birthdays have come and gone since that day.  

Tomorrow I will turn 39.  

I had planned to prepare a 40 before 40 list of things I wanted to accomplish.  

I made it to number two

…And life would be forever changed.

 My words and thoughts remained locked in a place I couldn’t access, my photography visions became stagnant.  It felt like the constant decisions I needed to make would engulf me.  I did the only thing I could do and pressed more deeply God’s promises.  My life verse in this season is:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11 

I don’t have all the answers that I want.  

I just know that I am faithful that he has a plan.


He always seems to send a word when I need it and when I would get into my car, this song would come on as a great reminder of his daily presence in my life

Reflection is always an important component of life.  

It helps you realize what adjustments you might want to make as you continue on your journey.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful day and thanks so much to those of you who took time out of your day to send well wishes and good vibes for my kids to get over the sick bugs they picked up at the beginning of the school year.


Kindness is something we can offer those we pass by on a daily basis.  

Even a smile can change somebody’s life.  

Be a world changer 🙂

 

Let your light shine!

Amy

31 thoughts on “Reflections On The Day Before My Birthday”

  8. Happy Birthday, and thank you for your boldness in sharing where you stand with God. We are called to be missional and here you are showing the world your love for Jesus! It’s sometimes hard to know He is in control with all the stuff that happens to us and around us but with you reminding us through your posts it helps keep the focus!

    Reply

  9. A day late, but happy birthday. I hope it was a great day and I pray a year filled with blessings for you. Yes, September 11 changed many things, but thankfully nothing can change our God and His love, care, and control of the world.

    janet

    Reply

  14. Love the quotes you share Amy 🙂 And it was quite something reading about that fateful day. I am so glad you decided to go to Disney World though in the end. I had wished you in insta but here is me again wishing this lovely lady who takes all these gorgeous sunset pics a very blessed and blissful year ahead <3 🙂

    Reply

  15. Wow, I missed it completely! Happy belated birthday! Hope you had a happy day!
    Saw your copyright sign -hope you are posting one on Facebook, as an example – some may want to buy one on Etsy, or however you like to sell them! My page is full of these in my feed from friends at facebook, so I know people use them.

    Reply

    1. Thank you! 🙂 It was a relaxing day, which is always welcome!
      I have become more regular in using a copyright sign on my photos after a person I follow on Instagram had somebody try to use one of his photos as their own.
      I have not moved into selling them… but maybe someday 🙂

      Reply
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