Well, my birthday is Monday. No, it's not a milestone year. No, I'm not the only one in the world celebrating another year of life. But, yes I will be celebrating this year in a different way.
The pandemic has changed lives for all of us. For us, it is just as unique as it is for you perhaps.
Every year since about 2010, my husband and three children have gone on tour around this time of year. My husband is a musician, and he would book gigs up in Wisconsin and Michigan We love it up there around this time time year because the weather where we live is blazing hot and humic, but Wisconsin and Michigan tend to be cooler. Plus, kids were traditionally going back to school. This meant our kids, who are homeschooled, and us had the run of the place to ourselves.
We were spoiled!
Every year, we would try to be in my favorite spot on Lake Michigan on or around my birthday to celebrate. On years it wasn't on my birthday, we tried to make it our anniversary which is in July.
Not this year!
Actually, not the last two years either.
In 2018, my husband took a position on a cruise ship that put him onboard on my birthday. So, we headed up north earlier that year. But, I still got to go and visit my favorite spot.
Last year, 2019, my husband suffered a life-threatening event in May. By God's grace, we were able to still travel up to Wisconsin for a few days only but made it to my favorite spot once again even though it was later than my birthday. I still got to go. And, even though I had to drive the entire way this time since he had not yet been cleared to drive. By God's grace, I did it!
This year, we had planned on heading up there in July and then going back in August to visit Mackinac Island where we had spent our honeymoon and where we stayed the night with our children to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We had planned on staying at least a couple or three nights this time.
Then COVID!
I have no intention of making this political or a fight about a mask debate. I'm simply reflecting on the fact that we will not be able to go this year on my birthday, and that makes me long to go back.
I won't say I'm sad, because truth be told I'm more grateful that I've had the opportunity of experiencing Lake Michigan at all let alone on my birthday several years past. But, I will reflect on borderline deep thoughts about it all.
Since late February, we have been affected by this virus. My husband plays music at retirement centers and restaurants. Retirement centers were the first to shut down, and we first heard of these shut downs in February. Soon to follow were restaurants. Bam! Just like that all of my hard work in booking jobs for the entire year was shut down.
Honestly, I do not know what the future holds. Between my husband and my children, we have tossed around probably every scenario of possibilities. So, please don't offer your two cents unless, of course, you have a boatload of money to offer as a gift or as a salary for our work. I'm sure you mean well, but unless you have walked in my shoes for last two years, I cannot listen because you really have no idea what you are saying.
What I do know is that I believe in a God who will take care of us. In Him alone is where we place our trust.
I am grateful for every last memory I have to cling to even though some make me long to go back to places where I felt so at peace and happy. I just won't be seeing them on my birthday this year. So, I've rallied up some photos for your enjoyment from birthdays and years from our past tours to Lake Michigan.
ENJOY my birthday gift to you!
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