January 29, 2014

• Anticipation

  More than 25 years ago I happened to overhear a conversation between a married couple. They were discussing whether they should let their parents know that they were planning a visit in a few months. (The parents lived on the opposite coast.) The wife spoke words that I saw as wisdom when she said, "Let's tell them. Anticipation is half the joy." Yes, there is joy in anticipating an event whether great or small.

  For almost a month, a small pile of wrapped packages and cards has been sitting near my desk. Each of the boys wrapped a birthday gift for me so long ago he may have forgotten the contents. Each time I've looked at them, I've calculated how long it is until my birthday, but I haven't picked them up - until today. I just had to give each one a gentle shake and feel the package. I have a faint idea what one of them might be, but I'm completely baffled by the others. I can't think of anything that I may have told them I wanted except chocolate and I don't think they contain sweet treats. I've waited long enough and I'm ready to see what they contain. There's just one problem. Today's not my birthday.

  I'm still in anticipation mode. Even though the contents of the packages remain a mystery, the anticipation has been building. I don't need a great birthday celebration, but Dean and the boys are extending the celebration by giving me a month of anticipation. The stack makes me smile. A little joy each day as I think of my family planning to bless me.

  • 1:09 pm
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