Birthday Eve - What's In a Day?

I just got home from celebrating my birthday (which is actually tomorrow) with my handsome hubby and lovely daughter. Between a coupon and an early-bird special, we ate sumptuous seafood overlooking the beach and then saw "The Avengers" movie. Mike had some roses for me, and we ate vanilla bean cupcakes.

For most of my life, I have felt strongly it was important to celebrate my birthday or other special occasions on the "actual day",  possibly because I wanted the busy world to stop and notice me, if just for one day. This year we celebrated Mother's Day a week early and my birthday a day early - unless I wanted to celebrate it without my family, since they both had to work.

For some reason, I didn't mind missing the exact day at all - maybe that means I am finally growing up. I certainly hope so. I'm just thankful tonight for life, a loving family, and a big God who loves me. I'll take that any day.

Taking Time and Making Musical Memories

As I mentioned in previous posts, my daughter and I just got back from a road trip to see friends and family in Ohio and Michigan. The first and last days were long travel days of 13-14 hours each. Surprisingly, those days were some of my very favorite of our trip because Kate and I had long leisurely conversations as we tooled down the highway. We found ourselves sharing stories or viewpoints that never seemed to come out in our daily routines at home.

Another highlight of our trip was singing together with all seven of the Salsbury women: grandma, aunts, cousins, and daughters. I pitched the idea to everyone and they all thought it would be fun. We rehearsed less than an hour on Friday, ran through the piece once on Saturday and again on Sunday before we sang. It sounded lovely, and I was so very proud of how everyone helped each other find their parts.

Both the trip itself and the ladies septet were memories we'll never forget, but I think about how I almost didn't do either because I was "too busy". If Kate hadn't put together the trip plan, I wouldn't have planned the ladies special, and all of us would have missed out.

I realized that I have been guilty of letting life just happen to me instead of planning to make time for some simple memories.Life is too short to just react to what the world throws at me; I need to set aside some time to recharge with other people.

Before we know it, the summer will have flown by and school will be starting again. Make a point of setting up some time with your children one-on-one with you. Set up a lunch or Saturday afternoon with a friend. Make some simple memories - and you'll be glad you did.

Attached is the link to the Salsbury Ladies singing "The Solid Rock". Enjoy - we sure did!

Trust Yourself...and Trust Your God

Recently I had the delightful privilege of making the acquaintance of my great-niece Alexi Joy. Holding her and gazing into her sweet face, I was reminded of how I loved holding my own baby (who is now 25!). I also remembered how often I battled worries that I wasn't a "good enough" mother. When I finally blurted out my concerns to some wise older soul, she shared a wonderful perspective: God had chosen me to be the mother of my child, and that meant that He would give me everything I needed to be the best mom for my baby. I wasn't so very sure about it at the time, but it has proven to be true.

When an actor is cast in a role, it is up to the director and production staff to provide everything the actor needs to perform his role; giving him a script, fitting him with his costume, telling him how and where to move, and even giving him a stage on which to perform. Just the same way, our Heavenly Father puts us in roles that He wants us to perform, and He provides all we need as well to make the production a success. 

Maybe there is some new role in your life you are currently facing: new motherhood, a different job, finding a new identity after being a caregiver for a parent, dealing with unemployment, or being an empty nester. New roles  are usually challenging and sometimes intimidating. After years of teaching school, I suddenly found myself working in professional theatre. Four years later my husband went to grad school and I was hired to do live television. A couple years into that, my job description changed and I found myself doing copywriting and marketing as well. Now that my husband has graduated with his MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Acting and Directing, we are unsure what the next assignment will be. I can't say I am thrilled about yet one more move but I know that if God calls us to do it, He will provide what we need.

In whatever role the Lord has currently cast you, please know that He is mindful of who you are and is confident that you will succeed at the task He has given you. Trust yourself and trust the One who calls you.

You Should Be Writing

Okay, okay - I get the message! I am committed to make June the month I re-enter the blogosphere. I just got back from an epic vacation trip with my daughter, Kate, and I have lots to share.

But for tonight, I will just say: if you have a chance to do something once in a lifetime with someone you love, do it!  See you tomorrow!

Contest: My Favorite Christmas Gift (post #2)

The very best Christmas gift I ever received was an impossible one -  a gift that did not exist from a person who could no longer give. But it was the most precious present anyone has ever given me.

Early in our marriage my husband and I were getting ready for a garage sale. I had a sewing room in the screened-in breezeway between the house and garage, but we knew I had way too much fabric and remnants. It wasn't as bad as the TV show "Hoarders" but Mike decided to help me cut down my inventory. 

When I opened one box filled with cream colored yarn, Mike asked if I had plans to knit or crochet it. I had always hoped to, but the yarn had never made it out of the box. When he suggested we get rid of it I suddenly burst into tears. My mom had promised to make me an afghan years earlier but her Alzheimers interfered - all I had left was the box of yarn. I told Mike to just take care of getting rid of it for me - it was too painful.

After the sale I figured the yarn must have sold, but actually my sly-but-sweet husband had hidden it in the back of our car. He asked around and found a lady from our church who loved to crochet. Ginny spent months secretly making it into an afghan and then on Christmas Mike presented it to me at our family Christmas, along with a note he had written as what Mom would say to me if she was no longer lost to Alzheimers. 

I often use that blanket these days when I take a Sunday afternoon nap, and it wraps me up in the love of so many people: my mom, my husband and Ginny.  Ginny also made up a pillow cover as well as a miniature afghan just big enough for my daughter Kate's doll cradle. 

Remember - tomorrow is the last day for my "Favorite Christmas Gift Contest" - just post a comment here on my blog (not just on FB) about your favorite Christmas gift and you could win a set of three hand tatted Christmas ornaments. The contest closes tomorrow night - so get that post up!

Looking forward to your comments-

Sandy Kay Salsbury

P.S. Special thanks go out to Ginny Lee... I love you!

" My Favorite Christmas Gift" CONTEST - details below

I have not composed a Christmas wish list in years. A long time ago I asked my husband if he wanted me to write a Christmas list to give him ideas. "You can if you want to," he said with a sly smile, "but you're so easy to buy for that I have no trouble." When I asked him how he knew what I wanted, he said that he had come up with "gift groups" (like food groups) and he just tries to give me a balance of things from some or all categories. 

So here is  Mike's list of  “Seven Gift Groups For Sandy” (good ideas for any woman on your Christmas list)-

1. Something scented – think Bath and Bodyworks bodywash or lotion
2. Something shiny – a piece of jewelry like some unique looking earrings
3. Something pretty – an outfit that makes me feel drop dead gorgeous
4. Something entertaining – a chickflick DVD or CD we’ll watch together
5. Something to read – fiction from Davis Bunn or John Grisham
6. Something sweet – it used to always be chocolates, but because of medical issues it will have to be white chocolate this year
          And my all-time favorite gift every year:
7. Something affirming – he always writes me a card telling me how much he appreciates me going through life together and reflects on how God has seen us through the events of the past 12 months.

There are years when we’ve agreed to not to give each other gifts due to financial restraints and other years I've received something from every category. No matter what, though, I can always count on that card, which is the best gift of all.

No matter what other Christmas gifts you plan to give this year, consider writing a card with a few heartfelt words on it for those who are closest to you. There's something about written words of appreciation and love that warm the deepest part of our hearts.

Contest - Contest - Contest - Contest
Write me a post: What is your favorite Christmas gift? Do you receive the same thing every year or does it change?


You can post on this blog through Wednesday 12/21/2012 at 6 p.m. EST. I will choose a winner and send them a set of three hand tatted Christmas ornaments. Looking forward to your posts!

Merry Christmas -
Sandy Kay Salsbury

Seasons Grieving

Even in the most festive and joyous month of the year, there are people who don't feel much like celebrating. I just got word that one of our former pastors went to be with Jesus last night after a long illness. Earlier today I read a post on FB from a daughter who was wishing happy birthday to her dad who is in heaven. Years ago I knew a widow who spent every Christmas Day alone, in homage to her beloved husband who lost his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease on Christmas Day.

In the midst of all the hubbub leading up to Christmas, it is easy to forget that each day there are families whose lives are disrupted by a death, whether it was expected or not. Each holiday someone is experiencing a "first" - the "first Christmas" or "first Easter" or "first Fourth of July" without a loved one.

As I thought about my friend (the pastor's wife who is now a widow) I realized I need to pray even more for her now as she heads into the holiday season with such fresh grief. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love, but it is especially difficult at this time when there is so much focus on families being together for Christmas.

I just felt tonight that I would like to encourage us all to look around our circles of friends and acquaintances, being sensitive to those who are especially missing a loved one this year. Just a touch or a word or a note could go a long way toward easing their burden right now.

Have a blessed night.