My Best Birthday Wish

Yes... today IS my birthday. I feel old(ish), but not just because it's my birthday.
Maybe it's the wrinkles... the gray hairs I find all over my head these days (I've tried to tweeze them, but I just find more)... or how it hurts if I stretch a little too much in the morning??

I don't despise getting older. I think that with age comes wisdom. I didn't always believe that, but I can see more clearly (although not literally) as life progresses how true that statement is.

I believe aging can be beautiful, if we just let it happen... naturally. I've always thought I would rather be a Marjorie Hinckley than a Joan Rivers (in more ways than just appearance, but you know what I mean).

Regardless, it's another 525,600 minutes marked in my life, and it brings special birthday wishes from my children. I got an email that made my day from Taylor yesterday. It was probably especially meaningful because Bill and I have often talked about how we were not so prepared to be parents... and how the first child usually gets the brunt of the learning curve. We certainly have regrets, but I have always consoled myself with the thought that we did the best we could at the time.

Life is about lessons, learning, and growth, right?? 

Here is the sweet message from my son:
Hey mom, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and tell you how special you are to me. The other day I was writing in my journal and I started to think about the family, you and dad in particular. You have been such a great example to me and the girls for so many years. I was thinking back on all my childhood times when you would go far, far out of your way to make us happy and to teach us what is really important in life. Thanks to you, the girls and I will be able to look back happily on those days forever and ever. I can't express how awesome that it, especially after being out in the "real world" and seeing so many broken homes and torn up relationships. Thank you. I hope your birthday is great. Next year I will be there to celebrate it with you all. I love you so much more than words can describe. -- love, Elder Syddall

This picture was taken in January at a zone meeting... these were Taylor's first two companions (he was in a threesome) in the mission field. Elder Alvarez, the one in the middle, just went home a couple of weeks ago. He is a native of Mexico and has never been to the U.S. He called us the other night. It was a riot listening to Bill try to communicate with him on the phone (Elder Alvarez speaks very limited English), but it was wonderful to hear how highly he thought of Taylor (Elder Ibarra, the other Elder in the picture, was transferred to another companionship soon after Taylor's arrival). Bill expressed his gratitude as he talked to him, and in a humble, kind way, Elder Alvarez said that Elder Syddall had taught HIM so much. Missions are such a great experience, and even though I miss Taylor immensely, I am so grateful for the lessons he is learning while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.