How to Celebrate the Big 'O' BD on a Mission

In a word: with lots of adaptation.

We started to celebrate Sandy's birthday on Wednesday by going out to dinner. For less than $20, we dined in an outdoor restaurant on French onion soup, lasagna, beef stroganoff, and a fruit smoothie. All were tasty.

Thursday was the big day, but Sandy was team teaching an employment workshop that day with the branch employment specialist. Neither had taught this workshop before; but that didn't keep them from doing a great job.

While they were busy instructing, her hubby managed to fulfill some of his responsibilities. You can't go wrong with a $3 bouquet of 18 fresh roses.

And then there was the cake I baked during the day. I brought it up just as class was concluding, so that the 13 attendees could all sing 'Happy Birthday' to her. They were more than happy to indulge in cake eating; they don't get many sweets like this.

Then it was time to collapse for the remainder of the evening; opps, there was still Friday's class to prepare for.

While not the traditional way to celebrate a worthy milestone as this, I prefer to reflect on the good that might be accomplished from those 13 who attended this class: they were taught skills that, if applied, will assist them in finding better employment and help lift them and their families from the grasp of poverty.

What a better gift can any of us ask for than giving service to another that will help bless lives in the days to come.