The Birthday Singer

Today is Marsha's birthday. Indeed she was the birthday singer. I knew people who ran toward Marsha when it was their birthday and those who would run away given the same situation. Like in the picture, Marsha at times had spontaneous flamboyance response. Singing happy birthday to people in her way was one of them. She was a hoot to live with in so many ways. Last Sunday I accepted an invitation to play golf with one of the men at my parish. We had played golf one other time in a group of four but this time it was just the two of us. Little did I know that it was going to be on Marsha's birthday, that just happened, and I also did not remember at that moment that he had lost his wife of 46 years just two days before me. We had a wonderful day of golf together, but we also really talked and that was even more wonderful. Like Jethro Gibbs I do not believe in coincidences. I could not have been in a better place to remember Marsha on her birthday and listen to another man share his same deep love for the woman he lost in March of 2009. Say what you will, I know God put us together today. I could not miss another example of the hand of God working to meet my needs as I grieve this great loss. I spoke this morning about the way God provided for me as I came to this place in Myrtle Beach not expecting Marsha's illness and death. At home again I've been thanking God for His unfailing provision even as I go forward in life after Marsha. She is still here in many ways, this birthday singer, but I miss her voice today again as I remember her. God is good, and his second greatest good to me was giving me Marsha. Happy birthday babe.