{capture the moment}: 30 Years, 30 Birthday Blessings

I met the most amazing woman while at CHA last month. Her name is Janelle Hayes (with a fabulous blog might I add!) She had some of the nicest things to say to both Dawn & I as we greeted her in line during the first day of the show. She handed me an envelope at one point and I promised to read it later. Well... admittedly, the card she gave me didn't get read until the following week when I was getting settled in back at home. As soon as I opened it to peek at what was written, I knew it was something special.

You see, Janelle was celebrating her 50th birthday. A monumental occasion for anyone! The inside of the front cover had an excerpt that Janelle had printed from the computer that literally made me cry at the shear thoughtfulness and love behind her gesture...

"I guess turning 50 makes one reflective.

Many people have asked me how I want to celebrate this milestone. And after weeks of consideration, I've decided that what I really want to do is thank 50 of the people who have been influential in my life and helped to make me who I am.

So- today is my day to honor and celebrate you! You're important to me. You've had an impact on me and I'm grateful to the Lord for bringing you into my life."

Wow. What an amazing, uplifting thing to have written to you. Janelle went on to say many other kind things in that card. A card that is prominently displayed on the bulletin board above my desk where I work each day. Hanging there as a reminder of how special Janelle is and how the work I do touches peoples lives in ways I don't always know.

Like Janelle, I was recently left with the question of what to do in celebration of my 30th birthday. Yes. That's right. Today, August 20th, is a pretty big milestone for me. I've been reflecting a lot on.... well, everything. I feel as though I've done a lot of living in the last decade. I've had so many experiences, made so many friends. Had so many *firsts*. Conquered so many challenges. Achieved so many dreams. Pushed myself in ways I didn't think I could. I really feel as though I have lived life to the fullest.

So, following in Janelle's footsteps, I want to spend the next week celebrating the 30 most influential people in my life, sending them each a handmade card, thanking them..... celebrating them and what they mean to me. Because I wouldn't be where I am today without the guidance, influence, advice and most importantly love, that I have received from these important people.

Some of the celebrated may be obvious, such as David, my parents & grandparents. Others a bit more abstract (and difficult to get mailing information for!) like an old elementary school art teacher and co-workers from long ago.

Join me on my journey this week, as I celebrate turning 30. Come along as I get to reminisce about the moments, people & events that make up my past. I'm looking forward to sharing all of this with you as I enter the next chapter of my life.