The Party Begins!

"Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.

He named it Ebenezer, saying,

'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"

1 Samuel 7:12

"Then will come old age, sickness, disease, and death, but will this be the end? No! We will awaken to much more -- the likeness of Jesus, thrones, harps, sons, psalms, robes of righteousness, the face of Jesus, the fellowship of the saints, the glory of God, infinite happiness, and the fullness of eternity."

Charles Spurgeon

2024. A new year. A significant year. A meaningful year. I turn 75.

In March, on my favorite number of 14, I turn 75. I’m going to celebrate!

When I turned 50, I decided it was time to celebrate all month. Celebrations give us something to be thankful for. It’s time to celebrate all year!

I’ve learned through the years when you don’t have any family to celebrate with you have to make an effort to celebrate! So, I decided God has done so much for me that it's time to celebrate! Celebrating special times or accomplishments are important to encourage us all and inspire us to continue on.

When I lived in Maryland, I had lifelong friends I could celebrate with. Since moving to Pennsylvania, where I knew no one, my number of friends has increased slowly. So, I have made an effort to remember to celebrate and be happy with small or large accomplishments. Turning 75 is a large accomplishment! (Of course, partying at 75 is a lot different than partying in my younger years!)

Ten years ago I found my lost charm bracelet when we were cleaning out my mother’s home. I was given the charm bracelet by my parents when I was in the 10^th grade.  I started putting charms on it that reflected my life. A graduation cap was one of the first charms placed on it. A sewing machine charm was next. And my life story began.

Lady friends. Did you have a charm bracelet when you were growing up? They've been around a long, long time. The web placed them in the Neolithic era, 4,000 to 3500 B.C. They’ve shown up in the Roman Empire, Knights and Middle Ages, early 20th century through the Greatest Generation. By the 1950s, the charm bracelet was a must-have accessory for girls and women.

In Jacki Lyden's book "Charmed Bracelets" she says: " . . . the most irresistible and alluring thing about a charm bracelet is its ability to tell a story unique to its owner . . . Truly, to wear one is to wear your history upon your sleeve." Jacki also said: "Charm bracelets express who a woman is in a subtle way, simultaneously giving a whimsical little nod to her style while also serving as a record of remembrance of her life."

When I found my charm bracelet I added and deleted a few charms to bring it current to that time in my life. I mounted it in a shadowbox, and it has been sitting in the writing room for me to see. As I began to think about my 75^th birthday I wanted to do something special with it.

I’m making it into a necklace for me to wear this year. My life story. My history. What God has done in my life and what He has given me to do for Him. I want to thank Him each time I wear it for the years He’s given me through all the joys and fun, and all the heartbreak and sadness. I want to remember.

To my astonishment there are 14 charms on the bracelet! I had not thought to count them before. The number 14 comes up everywhere in my life. It’s just right!

The bracelet tells my story . . . a Graduation cap for my High School graduation; a sewing machine for making my own clothes; a piano for lessons I took in my childhood, a telephone for working at the Telephone Company for 21 years; a typewriter for the type of work I did and continue to do.

A child charm for my daughter, Sandy; a Volkswagen Beetle for my favorite car in my 20s; a friend's charm for my lifelong and new friends; a Bible for my faith; a HOPE charm for my Savior; an anniversary charm for my marriage; a camera for my hobby; an envelope for my note writing years and article writings; a watering can for the gardens I created when I retired.

We all have enough bad memories. It's nice to be reminded of good times in your own life. Memories that warm your heart, especially in the winter of your life. 

I'm celebrating God's Hand in my life. God isn’t finished with me yet. I want to thank Him for all He's done for me and continues to do in this, my 75th year. It's time to Party!

"The Lord who 'thus far' has helped you

Will help you all your journey through."

John Newton, 1723-1807

By His Grace . . .