Saturday, January 21, 2012

THE BIG 6-0


¸.•°˚ˆ*♥¸¸.• N::I::F::T::Y •♥• N::I::F::T::Y •♥•  A::L::M::O::S::T •♥•  S::I::X::T::Y •¸¸.♥*ˆ˚°•.¸

I recall the funk and depression I went through on my 30th birthday. I don’t know why. Some preconceived and misguided conception on my part, I’m sure. Recently I began feeling that way again on this, the advent of my 60th birthday.

So, I started thinking, “What do I want to do, specifically, to herald this milestone?”
  1. Go on a cruise?
  2. Rent a Limo and take friends on a tour of the local vineyards?
  3. Shop until I drop?
  4. Make reservations at a fine restaurant?
  5. Make a trip to Ohio to visit my beautiful daughter?

All of the above (with exception to visiting my daughter) left me rather… well, unsettled.

Although I’d love to visit my daughter - not Ohio in the dead of winter! Sorry, Baby Cakes, I just can’t do the extreme winters anymore!

So again the question – what to do? How do I want to celebrate my BIG 6-0? I began to think about mortality and how would I like to be eventually be remembered. That’s when the idea began to form. Who says birthdays have to be about us?

I recalled reading a story about a little boy’s birthday party that was a bit different. He asked all his invited guests to bring items to fill a shoebox for the Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse. He provided plastic containers for all the guests and the party goers assembled the shoe boxes. Then he and his family delivered the items to a local distribution center.
“…and a child shall lead them”
So, for my birthday week, I created a public event on Facebook asking persons to honor my 60th birthday by donating a canned good (or similar item) to be delivered to My Neighbor’s Panty (my church’s food bank). It can be dropped off at my house or take it yourself. If you are not from the area, then your local food bank would be wonderful. Truly, I believe no child in this country should go to bed hungry.

A number of friends from Ohio are donating to their local food banks. One dear friend told me of her church’s daycare where a single mom and her daughter are just barely making it. Every Thursday she anonymously provides her with enough groceries and snacks for them for over the weekend. You know who you are, and you have touched my heart so deeply!

A former classmate and dear friend who resides in Pennsylvania is donating food to a central food bank where her son serves in their day program. Hugs to you, my friend!

So very many comments and a number have said they will be doing something similar for their birthday! How wonderful is that?

I think there maybe the potential for this type of event to catch on for others. Even those of you reading this blog, if you’re so inclined – donate to a local food bank. It is after the holidays and this is a difficult time for them after having provided for so many during the holiday season.

Again I say, no child in this country should ever have to go to bed hungry.
Matthew 25:35-40
New American Standard Bible
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Tamara


14 comments:

  1. you are such an inspiration! i love this idea,
    and my birthday is just around the corner.
    thank you for the lovely gift.

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  2. What a lovely lady you are, Tamara.
    It is an honor to call you my Sister in Christ.
    Of course, I will donate to our food bank for your birthday.
    Happy Birthday to you.
    When is your birthday?
    Love,
    Jackie

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  3. Beautiful, Tamara! I felt the same way when I had my 50th and most of my family and friends accommodated my wish for them to donate to their favorite charity or if they didn't have one I gave them a list of our favorites! I will be turning 60 in two years and plan to do the same.
    Ray and I give to the St. Francis Breadline in Manhattan and I will make a donation in your name.
    HAPPY 60th!
    Love and Prayers,
    Eileen

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    1. Perfect Eileen, absolutely perfect! Hugz to you and Ray!

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  4. I donated a jar of Peanut Butter and a box cereal at church this morning. I was on my way out the door when I remembered your request and came back in to pick from the "bare" cupboard. I usually donate once a month so it was a pleasure to do so today in honor of your 60th and will donate my usual items the last Sunday of the month. Hope you had a wonderful day, xo

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    1. Thank you Bernie! You ladies are "rocking my world"! Look how many lives will be touched? Not just in my little corner of the world, but even to the "utter most regions"! I'm thinking this should become an annual event! AND you all are invited to do the same in your local areas!

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  5. It's January 23...and I'm a day late...but never too late to wish a sweet friend "Happy Birthday." We have a food bank at our church, and I am donating to the kitchen in your honor, Tamara. We talked about our new food kitchen in Sunday School yesterday morning, and I thought of you as we were planning on taking out lower cabinets in the kitchen and replacing them with a space large enough for a freezer so that we can freeze ham and other meats for the food ministry. There is a birthday donation to Lake Park Baptist Food kitchen in your honor. I love you, my friend.

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    1. I love replying to my own comment! I guess that I either can't read correctly, or I didn't pay attention when I read. I thought your birthday was Sunday and that I had missed it, and then I read that it is the 27th (same as Mozart's)...That gives me a chance to wish you an EARLY Happy Birthday instead of the late birthday wishes that I left for you. :)))) I agree with Di and think that you should treat yourself to a special something just for you. Hugs and love to you.
      J.

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  6. That is a wonderful idea Tamara. A truly great way to celebrate a birthday. I have been at both ends. I have donated and I have had to rely on the food pantry. What goes around comes around they say!
    Still I think you should do a little something special just for you. Maybe buy a new book or get a special lunch that you normally wouldn't. I think that would make your day special too.
    Happy Birthday Tamara, you really are a special person!!
    Love Di ♥

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    1. Due to circumstances beyond my control, our grandson Zachary and his family have moved about 2 hours away. BUT!!! We get to pick him up on Friday and have him for the weekend - that, Di, is special enough for me! He hasn't been to our house in about two months and we miss him sooooo much. I will be able to prepare his favorite foods - homemade macaroni & cheese with broccoli, homemade tapioca pudding, maybe some brownies, too. (He's my boy, because his favorite ice cream is BA-NILLA - same as me!) Oh, and salad with Ranch Dressing - another favorite of his.

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  7. This will probably be your best birthday ever!

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Thank you for stopping in. Your comments are a source of encouragement.