Today is my birthday.
For everyone who knows me, you know how much I love my birthday. I admittedly love the attention, the phone calls, text messages, the cards. The glory of snail mail! And Facebook on my birthday blows up in a fashion that leaves me beaming for days.
In my 47 years on this planet I have wanted for nothing. My life is rich. My husband and family are more than I ever imagined I would have. I don’t know if you would say I live the good life, but I do live a good life. Mac Daddy and I decided this year for our birthdays we would work with the boys to make handmade gifts. These are more memorable and special than anything from a department store. Truth be told, if there’s ever something I covet I can usually just go buy it myself (within reason, of course). I say this not to be snobby, rather to depict how easy I really have it and that I do not take it for granted. Sure, there are boots and handbags and coats and fall fashion that I drool over. But it’s all an exercise in wants versus needs. I truly need nothing.
But what I want is to exercise my voice to help others. Passing up a latte for a day or even digging in your couch cushions for spare change could help one of the many causes I support. While I am a grown up now, my heart is still fluttering somewhere in the midst of childhood. What I want for other children is what my own children have — a full belly, at tender tuck in at night, books to read, and a safe, joyous place to call home.
Today is my birthday after all, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Prevent Child Abuse – SAFEchild
Feed a Child – Cecilia Rawlins Fund and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
Vaccinate a Child – Shot@Life