Tomorrow, September 3, 2011, I will be forty years old.  That is a blessing from God.

When I was born I was not expected to see my first birthday.  

I was born with spina bifida and other problems that have caused me to have numerous hospital stays/surgeries over the years.  I am no longer able to walk on my own (my bones have gotten quite brittle), but even despite that, life is still good for me.  My last hospital stay was six months ago; I had to have my shunt replaced: blocked; it was causing me to have headaches/seizures/vision problems, but I am very happy to say that all of that is behind me.

I pray this continues.

Most people lament on turning forty because they say the best years of their lives are behind them.  Not me.  Turning forty is a brand new beginning.  I have nothing but joy and God's provisions to look forward to.  I have unknown opportunities/advantures awaiting for me.  

Good or bad, I'll take 'em, as long as God gives me another day to live and/or breathe.  That, right there, is probably the greatest thing I'm most grateful for.  As I like to say, "God ain't finished with me just yet"!

I live at home with my husband, Dan, who is my helpmate and caretaker.  What I can't do physically he will go out of his way to help me, and if there is a problem, he does his best to help me face it head-on.  We don't have any kids, but that is okay.  God has blessed me with six wonderful nieces and nephews (four nephews, two nieces); they are my sister Charlotte's kids, and they are the greatest!  I just love them all to pieces!

I don't work, as I get disability/SSI.  My health is just too shaky for me to be able to, but God provides for me.  Dan works part time as a airline mechanic, so we don't really have to worry about money (plus we have great insurance).

I just hope that the years following will be full of joy and untold blessings!