Happy, Happy, Happy Birfday, Bub...

This one is going to be quick, but you all know that I just don't have it in me to let a birthday of my bub pass without an acknowledgement of some kind.  Chad would be 39 years old today...and I can hardly believe that.  I've told you before, those years that Chad was sick and right after he passed, it's almost like my mind lost them...I just don't remember that much.  Consequently, I don't feel the 36 years of age that I am...and I can't believe my sweet baby brother will be 30 soon, or that Chad, if he was still here, would be embarking on his last year in his 30's.

How is this possible?

When did it happen?

We were JUST kids...

Oh that picture slays me...how sweet are they???

I love dem boys.

I asked the beau if we could go to dinner tonight at one of Chad and I's favorite spots.  I'm in the mood to celebrate.  You would think, after burying my PJ last week, that maybe I would be extra sad today, missing them both.  But, oddly, I am full of joy.  I'm all smiles... Crazy, cause I don't think anyone would blame me for being sad and, really, it would be okay if I was.  Maybe it's naive to think of it this way, but Chad and PJ have each other now...and that matters to me...because they both have Jesus and one day, we will all have each other again because we ALL have Jesus.

Oh, wow.  What a day that will be...

Yeah...this life is tough.  You have to fight every day to keep your head up...bitterness, sarcasm, frustration, anger, pity...there are days they can try and eat you alive.  But the thing about my Lord is this joy...it never fails to eventually well up inside of me and overflow this abundance of hope...

I remember my affliction and my wandering,

    the bitterness and the gall.

 I well remember them,

    and my soul is downcast within me.

 Yet this I call to mind

    and therefore I have hope:

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

    therefore I will wait for him.”

 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,

    to the one who seeks him…

-Lamentation 3:20-25

Ephraim.

How about that million dollar smile?

Happy Birfday, bub.  Looking forward to that day...that wonderful day...save me a hammock!!!