We all have one. Even if we choose to subtly or outright ignore them, they press in on us like a breath of thick, humid air after a mid-summer rain storm.  In fact, certain ones make us sweat and our hair begins to behave in an uncontrollable fashion. Pivotal and common gestures become painfully noticeable and we’re frequently drawn to rooms where we can find sanctuary and relief.  Phone calls interrupt our routine and vaguely unfamiliar voices resonate in our ears. The mailbox bulges with postal greetings while the in-box loads animated characters singing karaoke tunes with scrolling messages. This whole scene is played out annually as a reminder that breath is still in us, life is still before us, friends and family still love us, and another year has passed by us. “Happy birthday,” they all say.  What do we say back?

Today is Meridith’s birthday. I learned long ago never to associate a number with a woman’s birthday. In fact, I’m fasting from all mathematical equations today. I don’t want to even suggest numbers or figures due to the sensitive nature of my current environment. The lady at the check-out line at the grocery store became upset with me because I refused to enter my PIN at the cash register (there are numbers associated with my PIN you see). She glared impatiently while I explained my rationale and signed the receipt.

Numbers aside, I’m grateful for the last 365 days – and even more grateful for the gift of being able to spend those days with my wife. Beauty takes many forms. Meridith embodies and exemplifies each of these forms with greater passion and more grace each year. Yes, she becomes more beautiful to me as time progresses, even though she finds aging a lamentable prospect. We just spent a week in France celebrating a dear friend’s birthday (I won’t disclose the number), and Meridith frolicked like a young girl without a care in the world. Well, she was in France, you might say. True. But there’s a big difference between folly and wonder. Folly grows out of a preoccupation with self-satisfaction. Wonder flows out of a heart that is inspired by the gifts of the One who created beauty. One leads to selfish isolation. The other lives by the lyric, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” That’s where true beauty is found. Meridith not only lives from a heart of wonder, she also inspires people like me to join her as she enjoys the view.

Happy Birthday, Meridith! When you’re standing beside me, I love the passing of time and the breath-taking view. Though there are many others who celebrate this occasion and acknowledge your extraordinary presence in their lives, none are more grateful than me (and Jackson). No temporal gesture can equal the fullness of one’s heart toward another, so thanks for so readily accepting these feeble attempts to articulate and demonstrate what is nearly unspeakable. Love you!