So what is there to celebrate about being 61? Well, let me see . . . .
- I have a good life - not rich and famous by any means, but I am rich in family, friends and neighbors. Let's see . . . there's Karl who takes pretty good care of me . . . he does the wash and takes care of the yard work (not many around who get that kind of support). He's my first assistant with projects for family, work and church, and he will do whatever at the drop of a hat (but I must admit he does need a nudge now and then). He's the best dad any kid could ask for and could be rated as a top grandpa if he could just recognize that the children who come to visit are his grandchildren and not his children.
- I have been blessed with three children who are strong, good looking and above average in so many ways. All three are accomplished at something I gave them - the talent or capacity for which they can forever thank me. Annie is my #1 and that means chief family boss. She is more creative and artistic in words and actions than anyone I know. She can cook and sew and write and design and manage a home of boys. She has good taste in everything and she is rock solid in all she does. Haley is my #2 and with that birth order rank comes commitment and obligation. She has always been my "Haley on the spot." She is so musically talented at the piano and with the guitar and banjo and can tackle the most difficult math problem or life circumstance with success and confidence. She is always the champion of a good cause and always has a political or social opinion to share. Willie is #3 and the youngest. I must say that he is the recipient of many things his sisters didn't get or experience, but rest assured, he missed out on a lot of early Petersen family adventures and activities. He is amazing in every definition of the word. This one and only son came into our family as the caboose and has been the recipient of love, and more love than can be imagined. He is strong and handsome and funny and crazy and has friends and followers of all nationalities and backgrounds. He's like the pied piper. He loves to sing and play the ukulele, knows a few tunes on the piano and he is a basketball junkie.
- I have been blessed with two amazing sons-in-law who have been sealed to my daughters for time and all eternity in the House of the Lord. They are also strong, good looking, educated, dedicated and make me a very proud mother-in-law. Ross and James are helpful and handy and willing to take on my weird requests like building a block wall and patio at great-grandpa's house and humoring me when I give their children more candy and sugar than they'd like them to have.
- I have these five additional people in my world I call grandchildren. They are simply mini-versions of their parents and they are delightful!!! They are called grandchildren for a reason - they are splendidly pleasing and impressively amazing! I love them to the moon and back!
- I have a very nice home - not a mansion with all the bells and whistles of modern technology, but a home that is comfortable and welcoming. The door is always open, and . . . always . . . drinks in the fridge, food in the pantry, candy in the candy dishes and ice cream in the freezer. My yard is beautiful - lawn is green an most flowers grow.
- I call my work an extension of my life. I love what I do duing the "work day" and the best part of all is that I get paid for it
- I believe that there is Heavenly Father who created this world of ours through His son. I know he loves all of his earthly children and has blessed me and my family above and beyond in so many ways. I thank Him daily and worship Him on Sundays. I am not a religious scholar nor do I profess to have read and studied all there is to learn about His church. But, I am a believer and the strength of my faith is evidenced through my willingness and (nearly worry-free) commitment to send my young son some 6,000 miles away from me, and all who love him so much, for two (2) years to serve Him and share the message of hope and light of Christ to any and all who choose to listen.
Well, there you have it! My bullet list of reasons to celebrate this birthday, #61! Pretty good life I have been blessed with! Happy Birthday, me!
