This is the day to say an extra “Thank you” to God for giving me the beautiful daughter that today is turning 40. It’s unbelievable how time flies. It seems like only yesterday that I was holding this bundle of joy in my arms.
When she graduated from High School her father and I could not have been prouder. It had been a bumpy road for her with our missionary life. Starting her life in Peru, born in the mining city of La Oroya, she was surrounded by Spanish, although at home we spoke Swedish.
When we went on a year’s furlough to Sweden, the Spanish was kicked to the background. Returning to Peru, Spanish took first seat. She even started Kindergarten in Spanish. (The girl with the doll)
Then we moved to Sweden for three years. At first she refused to speak Swedish, but to make it in school she had to give in. School at that time was something else. Her teacher was trying out a new kind of teaching technique, which among others let the kids decide what they wanted to learn. My “baby” loved babies so she mostly played with dolls.
Then we moved to Peru and she and her sister went to a Swedish boarding school in Bolivia. She had forgotten her Spanish and it took quite some time before she was willing to pick it up.
When it came time for high school we had moved to Bolivia as a family. We decided to put her in an English-speaking school. So she started a new learning curve.
God knows things about us that we don’t know. He knew we would move to the United States so this was a preparation. How hard we worked for her to pick up English! I say “we” because I worked hard with her on the home work assignments. And she graduated with honors!
Then came a year at Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas, rounded up with a mission trip to Polen.
When we moved from Florida to Colorado, Carina ventured into the tourism business. But what good is a Certificate when no one hires you? At every travel agency where she applied they would say, “We need someone with experience!” How can you get experience if no one gives you an opportunity to spread your wings?
After celebrating her 30th birthday the dream of her life came true—to be a wife and a mother. And now I’m sitting in my living room looking at frames pictures of the beautiful grandchildren I have, thanks to Carina (and her husband, of course).
Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor…” The years go by quickly and those gray hairs creep in. We don’t need to hide them. I did for some years. It made me look younger! But after the cancer and losing my hair, I’m proud of the gray!
On January 19, 2010 I wrote a blog about the loneliest day in my life. Yes, that day 40 years ago was my loneliest. I was by myself at the hospital with no means to contact my husband, about 80 miles away. And then, that evening, she was here, welcomed into the world by the doctor and the nurses, and this VERY PROUD mother.
This day–January 19, 2012–was “lonelier” with just me, myself and I. But now I have a telephone and I have a cell phone, so me, myself and I sang the birthday song for the girl, now turned the respectable age of 40. The song was in Spanish and it ends with the words “May God bless you now and forever.” And I say yes and amen to that.
This weekend I will sing the song once more (maybe) and give my girl a big hug.
Time got away from me (the today19 turned into 20!). I was just remembering… I have so many good memories!
