Today, September 9, is our father’s birthday. In our father’s house, we always loved a celebration or an excuse to have a party. Birthdays were always one of the best reasons to celebrate. Our mother actually gave our father his first birthday party when she surprised him with a houseful of their friends. He was 29 and they had only two children at that time: Tiffany (August), and Bert (March). Through the years other children arrived and it just so happened everyone had his or her own “birthday month:” Caroline (June), Juliana (May), John Christian (April), Mary Catherine (January), Grace (October), and finally, Matthew (November). With our parents celebrating their birthdays in February (Pamela) and September (Clem), and with the 4th of July and Christmas, we found reasons to celebrate all year round. As the family has grown (with son/brother-in-law Zac, and daughter/sister-in-law Amanda and six grandchildren), so have the joyful celebrations.
On each birthday, Daddy would read – and we would all read along with him (and eventually we would be quoting from memory), Psalm 139 - what we would call The Birthday Psalm. So many memories of sitting around the table or in the living room, reading/reciting out loud – certain verses with emphasis or drama, the glances around the table, the good-natured ribbing of someone who was entirely off on their remembering how it went... And after we had recited Psalm 139, we would always go around the table and say what we appreciated about – were grateful for – that person on his or her birthday. There is usually a rush as to who gets to go first – often with Grace or Matthew insisting the youngest should go first or a roommate claiming the right of roommate. We would just say a couple of sentences about that person. The comments would range from the heartfelt, to something that would bring down the house, to things enjoyed that were shared in common, to “sports and stuff,” and everything in between. Daddy was very special to each one of us and we would give anything to be able to celebrate his birthday with him again today. Thinking about Daddy’s reading Psalm 139 and remembering his strong baritone voice as he read the verses: “"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee." (Ps. 139:17, 18) Daddy is loved by the Lord, by his family, and so many others. We remember him today and thank the Lord for the time we had with him and for everything he means to each of us. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss him so very much -- all of us. As he is now with the Lord, we can rejoice that we will see him again one day.
Psalm 139
"O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,” even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee, but the night shineth as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.
For Thou hast possessed my reins; Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret,
And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect.
And in Thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with Thee.
Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate Thee?
And am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts;
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
