Happy Birthday to me.
51 I will be.
sometime this evening is the mark,
when first breath I breathed did spark,
a joyful cry of new life,
that serves now as daughter, mom,  and wife. 

Thank you Lord for this day,
for guiding my steps and way.
Through toil and trouble you did not leave,
even when I did conceive,
hair brained ideas that were wrong,
and threatened where I belonged.

Those valleys dark your staff did steer,
me back from places full of of fear.
to your tending, calling plea,
come rest my friend find peace in me.  

And now each day without a doubt,
I push hard to claim and shout,
I am yours, your baptised child,
and from this I will not hide.

It gives place to belong.
It teaches how to sing happy songs,
of love and light and grace and caring,
to my neighbor the act of sharing. 

Happy Birthday, not just to me,
but for creation that does see,
the beauty born in each of us, 
each day, each miniute, each baby fuss.

How glorious the cry the creator must hear,
when new life enteres his mission field.  
For with each life there's more love to show, 
to give to others and watch it grow,
accross place, and time, and expanse,
to be with us an intimate dance.

Leading us on the ball room floor 
of field and forest and beach shore.
Through cities large and townships small.
We thank you all for the birth right call.

Help us each on our birthday day,
live full of joy in your way.

Happy Birthday to me -- and you and you and you, 
thank goodness for the Word thats true.
for the Spirits breath we each do breath,
and Creators hand to interweave.
our stories to him, and his to ours,
each and every, earthly hour.

                        Rev. Nicole Martin
                        2022.11.29

For some this will seem like a “duh” moment, but when turning 50 or 51 there is stop and assessment moment. A reality check that creeps in like a theif, that life is busy closing, not openen up. It reminds you that an end that is coming, but I take refreshement in knowing the best parts of any story are what comes after the “set up”. If you are younger, the first 50 are just setting the stage for you to live in the last 50. Like building a house, you have been laying foundations and adding structural supports, putting up walls, doors and windows. And past 50 is the chance to see the windows as opportunities to see the world. Doors are oppotrunites to walk into the world with bravery, knowing that you have a solid house to come home to when the world gets tough.

Blessings to everyone this day. if your under 50 have great joy in building. If your over 50 have great joy in enjoying what has been built.