Ruby's Birthday Party

Ruby turned four on May 10 and even though this happened a little while ago, I still wanted to share.  Usually birthdays are hard days for me because of expectations I had about birthday parties. In my head, birthdays are supposed to be days full happiness and celebration. I figured Ruby would be running around, getting a sugar high from lemonade, candy, cake and ice cream. I thought she would be dying to open her presents and then protecting her new toys from her rambunctious brother. I planned that we would have to tell her several times to say thank you and give hugs to her grandparents who spoiled her again this year.

Instead, Ruby doesn't even know she is having a birthday. The noise of a party actually makes her anxious, tired and fussy.  She can't eat cake or open presents. She can't say thank you to her guests and she definitely can't run around with her brother and cousins. We hardly celebrated her first three birthdays; it was just too hard. I was grieving the loss of the dreams I had for Ruby.

This year was different. I was ready to celebrate many things.... God's faithfulness through tough times, the joy Ruby has brought to our family, the strength of our marriage through rough stuff, Ruby's smiles and giggles, the family and friends who have supported us like crazy these past 3 1/2 years...

So we had a birthday party.  We met our families at a park, the kids played, we ate pizza, Emily made a beautiful cake and Ruby "opened" her gifts (with some help :). We were able to share a little and pray with our families.  And although it was not tear-free, was a beautiful evening worth celebrating!

"For you created Ruby's inmost being, you knit her together in her mother's womb. I praise you because Ruby is fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 136