Giving thanks on my Valentine Birthday

So some time after midnight last night, I was doing a little scan of my MFP friends' posts to make sure I had commented on everyone's day. I switched over to my profile to change my picture, when I noticed my age had been changed. I thought 'geez, already?' Yep no longer the double nickel-I am officially on the other side headed toward 60!. OUCH
However, my mother quickly reminded me this morning that technically I would not be 56 until 7:03pm. And again I heard the story of when she went into labor, how she agrued over being put to sleep, how she knows the drug the doctors gave her caused my miscarriages, how cold it was that day, to the details of the little dress I wore home and various other events of February 14, 1957.
Unfortunately, it's only been in recent years that I have come to appreciate that story. And today I suddenly realized how God has truly, truly blessed me in so many ways. There are things that we just take for granted sometimes. My mother is 80 and my dad will be 80 next month. As we ended the phone conversation, mama said, " you know you'll always be mine and daddy's little sweetheart!" Once upon a time, I almost dreaded having to listen to the story of my birth. Today I'm praying I'll get to hear it for many more years to come. Five minutes later she calls again and asks, "Do you have any oatmeal? Your daddy wants oatmeal this morning and we're out. I forgot to buy it yesterday at the store and......" Yes Mom, I'll bring you some oatmeal, lol. (I moved next door to them 7 years ago). Praise God I am blessed!
On another note, my day started with a mail box full of well wishes from MFP and Facebook friends. I am so thankful that I have made such wonderful, caring friends. Next my oldest daughter comes home from a 16 hour shift and says "happy birthday, sorry but I have to go to bed now, but remember I'm taking you out Sunday." She works so hard! My youngest daughter called a little later and I answered the phone to she and her roommate singing their version of Happy Birthday. She was on her way to work. Suddenly I hear the sound of a speaker and someone saying, 'may I take your order?" I said,,,uhh, what's going on baby girl? She said,"'Don't worry Mom, we're just getting coffee. There's no temptation here, and you know, I suppose I should thank you for always standing up to Dad when he wanted to take us to McDonald's or Burger King. So many of my friends grew up eating fast food and now some are already having health problems. And the times you did let us go, we thought it was a big treat. So thanks Mom, see you this weekend.!" Thank God I did do something right! lol
As that call ended there was a knock at the door. There stood a lady with a huge arrangement of flowers...the card read 'Thanks Mom for giving me a home and a real family. I love you! Happy Birthday and Happy Valentines Day!' Love, your son. (we adopted him when he was 11, he'll be 37 next month) My son has been the most wonderful blessing to me and I thank God for him coming into my life.!
Yes I am blessed.