Friday, August 1, 2008

August 1 is a very special day....

How did I get so lucky to have 2 special people in my life born on the same day?! Not only is today Randy's b'day, but my sister/aunt Janet's b'day,too.

Why is Janet so special to me? Well let me tell you, we have been close for 37 years. That is when I invited myself to go stay at their house. Here I was, a 16 year old who just decided to ride with my Sunday school teacher to Logan. He was going to visit his family, and I thought "me, too!" (I can't believe my parents let me go with a single man 1000 miles in a car. He did have his 2 small children with him, though.) Anyway, I got to Janet's just as she learned that her mother was dying of cancer. I arrived in time to help babysit kids while Janet did what she needed to. I think I was there about a month. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble!

Janet was always the fun aunt. She always had a fun project or place to visit, usually a practical experience like hiking or quilting, getting squeaky cheese, canning or just "going in to town."

She taught me more about cooking than my own mom. She's an awesome cook!

Janet has been at every important event in my life. She was at my wedding, my kids' weddings, asking her "24 questions", making sure no one was making a mistake. She has been so good to my kids, always welcoming.

Janet is one of the most wise people I know. Through struggles of raising a family, marriage, working, being a friend, health issues, she has actually learned the lessons she's needed, and when appropriate, passed on her wisdom to others with grace and class. Her life has been a lesson in perseverance and endurance.

Janet is the most loved person I know. Probably because she loves more than anyone I know. She knows EVERYBODY! I was always so amazed that she knows everyone's phone #'s in all of Cache Valley. She has more "children" than she can count. Including me. She has taken on role of mother to so many strays, always welcoming, giving generously, finding something to love even in the most unlovable. Her children have been so generous to share her with the rest of us! Thank you, Jim, Raelyn, Rob, Marci, Shane, and Munch.

And thank you, Aunt Janet, for being my big sister, my friend, my mentor, and for just being you!!! I love you.

What does Barbra Streisand have to do with today?

When I was 13 I got hooked on Barbra Streisand and the movie "Funny Girl." It's the ONLY movie that I've seen multiple times, and used to be able to quote. I knew every word to every song, which for me, says a lot! That is when I fell in love for the first time....with Omar Sharif. To this day, thinking about him makes my heart skip a beat. But I digress.

One of my favorite songs from that movie is called "My Man." I would cry every time I heard the words. "Oh, my man, I love him so...." Well, eventually, I got my very own man who is just as gorgeous as Omar Sharif. They have a few similarities. They are both dark, soft spoken, and charismatic. But my man is so much more.

I fell in love with my man the first time I saw him across the ballroom floor. VERY CUTE! Getting to know him was my challenge. After all, in social dance class you dance with new partners all the time. Our class probably had 50 people in it. But I was up to the challenge and used every trick I knew to be in the right place at the right time so we would have to talk. And the rest is history!

In getting to know my man, I discovered someone who has many great qualities. He has worked hard his whole life. No material blessing was handed to him. Everything he has, he earned. And he happens to love his work- a real plus! Because of this, he has given our family so many things. In turn, we can give to those in need and who are less fortunate.

My man is smart. He knows more trivia than anyone else I know. Having no college degree hasn't stopped him. He is self taught, and amazing.

I discovered a person who loves people and is always kind. Everyone loves him. I think he only has one enemy in this world, and that person is just plain jealous!

I found a happy person. He's very rarely on a bad mood... maybe 5 times in the 33 years I've known him. I always say that his teeth glow while he's sleeping because he's smiling. Really!

I fell in love with a man who was trying to find out who Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are, and what they really want him to be. He has a strong testimony and shares it by being one of the most Christ-like people I know, and who honors his priesthood and blesses our family.

I fell more in love as we became parents. He was a calming influence in our home from day one. He could make the kids laugh, or put them to sleep. My man is a great dad!

And last but not least, my man loves me and shows it every day. Even when I'm not so kind, my man treats me with respect and dignity, and tries to make me feel beautiful.

So on this day that we celebrate his birthday, "..... wherever my man is, I am his, forever more."