Birthday…by definition it is “the anniversary of a birth” or
“the day of a person’s birth” or “a day marking or commemorating the origin,
founding or beginning of something” or “the festivities or celebration marking
such a day or anniversary”. Whatever definition one chooses to use, it’s a
noun, which seems more like a verb. Today, I am choosing to commemorate the
beginning of something.
“27” years ago something amazing happened; this birthday
girl was brought forth into this wonderful world! (The next few sentences are
somewhat speculation, because I didn’t know her, but I am pretty sure they
aren’t stretching the truth.) From the beginning her gentle, caring spirit was
evident to everyone she met. She was loving and caring. She was concerned for the
welfare of others. She was interested in making her parents proud.
girl was brought forth into this wonderful world! (The next few sentences are
somewhat speculation, because I didn’t know her, but I am pretty sure they
aren’t stretching the truth.) From the beginning her gentle, caring spirit was
evident to everyone she met. She was loving and caring. She was concerned for the
welfare of others. She was interested in making her parents proud.
She grew and
grew. She achieved her most of her goals. She made her parents proud. She loved others. She shared her
sense of humor. But, she knew something was missing. Then Chad entered her
life!!! (Okay, that sentence was stretching the truth, but how could I resist,
I mean I am hijacking her precious blog today and have free reign! And, yeah, you
didn’t know Summer wasn’t writing this one did you?!?)
grew. She achieved her most of her goals. She made her parents proud. She loved others. She shared her
sense of humor. But, she knew something was missing. Then Chad entered her
life!!! (Okay, that sentence was stretching the truth, but how could I resist,
I mean I am hijacking her precious blog today and have free reign! And, yeah, you
didn’t know Summer wasn’t writing this one did you?!?)
Back to the story. (Here is where it gets factual, because she entered my life 14 years ago.)
She still
had all those characteristics that she was born with and had shared with others as
she was growing up. She still loved others unconditionally, made people laugh,
searched for the deeper parts of life and of people. All this time though, she was
finding herself. She was becoming secure in who she was made to be. She was living a life of love
and appreciation.
She still
had all those characteristics that she was born with and had shared with others as
she was growing up. She still loved others unconditionally, made people laugh,
searched for the deeper parts of life and of people. All this time though, she was
finding herself. She was becoming secure in who she was made to be. She was living a life of love
and appreciation.
Then something miraculous happened, she had Charlie. Then
along came Chanelle. Wow, life was changing! Her world was expanding! She was
experiencing depths of life and love she had never experienced before!
along came Chanelle. Wow, life was changing! Her world was expanding! She was
experiencing depths of life and love she had never experienced before!
Then something else happened, her mom passed away. Wow, life
changed! Her world could have collapsed around her! Instead, her life of
striving to push through, to see the world through a different lens (no pun
intended), to not give in to the difficulties of life, took her to a place that
not many are able to fully embrace, or even catch a fleeting glimpse of. She started pursuing her dreams! She
started finding what was missing in her life.
changed! Her world could have collapsed around her! Instead, her life of
striving to push through, to see the world through a different lens (no pun
intended), to not give in to the difficulties of life, took her to a place that
not many are able to fully embrace, or even catch a fleeting glimpse of. She started pursuing her dreams! She
started finding what was missing in her life.
The thing is that it wasn’t photography. It wasn’t wasn’t being an incredible mom (Meadow came
along in the midst of this as well. Not to shortchange or dismiss her by putting her as a side note, but she does have her own blog entry). It wasn’t being a crazy good wife or a friend.
along in the midst of this as well. Not to shortchange or dismiss her by putting her as a side note, but she does have her own blog entry). It wasn’t being a crazy good wife or a friend.
It was sharing her
gifts in deeper ways. It was sharing life perspective through her written word,
her photography, her spoken word. All the characteristics that she was born
with (what I like to call her caterpillar stage) had started going through a metamorphosis
(you know, the chrysalis stage) for a while, maturing, changing their
look and feel, all while being beautiful in a simple, quiet way. Then, over
time, something amazing started to emerge. It was something that hadn’t quite been
fully seen by others, not even those closest to her. Out burst this symphonic synergy of love, compassion and
art (the most exotically beautiful butterfly you’ve ever seen). The Summer who was born
“27” years ago, was becoming who she was created to be.
gifts in deeper ways. It was sharing life perspective through her written word,
her photography, her spoken word. All the characteristics that she was born
with (what I like to call her caterpillar stage) had started going through a metamorphosis
(you know, the chrysalis stage) for a while, maturing, changing their
look and feel, all while being beautiful in a simple, quiet way. Then, over
time, something amazing started to emerge. It was something that hadn’t quite been
fully seen by others, not even those closest to her. Out burst this symphonic synergy of love, compassion and
art (the most exotically beautiful butterfly you’ve ever seen). The Summer who was born
“27” years ago, was becoming who she was created to be.
There is no doubt that
there will continue to be growth and more stages in life (maybe, like every
good butterfly, she will eventually migrate south for the winter, and take me
along with her), but who she has become is something to behold.
there will continue to be growth and more stages in life (maybe, like every
good butterfly, she will eventually migrate south for the winter, and take me
along with her), but who she has become is something to behold.
So, if you see her today, wish her a “Happy birthday”, send
her a text, tweet at her either via @runningchatter or @summerkphotography,
write on her wall on Facebook, like her blog page or professional page, or just
say a prayer of thanksgiving for who she is.
her a text, tweet at her either via @runningchatter or @summerkphotography,
write on her wall on Facebook, like her blog page or professional page, or just
say a prayer of thanksgiving for who she is.
Happy Birthday, Summer! I love you and am proud of who you are!
Thank you all for sharing in this journey with her and
encouraging and loving her!
encouraging and loving her!
 |
| It’s tough to get good pictures of a photographer, because she is always holding the camera, so don’t hold this picture against her…we took a selfie with my phone. |
I just cried my way through this entire post – and laughed, too. Which means that you are the perfect author and storyteller, Chad. And husband to my girl. Sumo – happy birthday to you!! I am so very happy that you were born, that I know you, and that you are who you are and who you are becoming. Love you! Miss
I cried and laughed, too, Miss.
Thank you and LOVE YOU!
Love this! what a way to honor Summer on this very special day! Happy Birthday my sweet sweet friend!
Thank you, Kyra! He's a good one, for sure!
You are such a good husband, Chad. I cried reading this entry.
Happy Birthday, Summer! I am thankful for you! Proud of you! Blessed to know you! And call you Friend! Wishing you an amazing day. Love you!
Thank you, Steffany! The feelings are VERY mutual!!
Happy "27th" Birthday Summer!!!! What a beautiful entry from your husband.
I'm totally claiming the "27". 😉 Thank you, Jill!
"All this time though, she was finding herself. She was becoming secure in who she was made to be. She was living a life of love and appreciation."
Oh, Chad – you're a keeper.
SUMMER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you, friend!
I agree, Ky. He's a keeper!
THank you, Ky!
Happy happy birthday!
I've read your blog for awhile now and you have an amazing ability to write what I feel towards my children and watching them grow. Then add in your photos to go with the words, and I'm awe struck by the beauty of it all.
So, from this random stranger who lurks and reads fairly regularly, happy happy birthday. I hope you had a day filled with laughter, good times, and a heart overflowing with the love from your loved ones.
And how super sweet of your hubs to post so the strangers like me can send you birthday wishes.
Thank you, dear stranger! I love to hear from the "lurkers" out there and honestly, your comment put the bow on an already wonderful day. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment.
It was a very good day. 🙂
Wonderful post. Wonderful hubby. Wonderful blog. Happy (belated) birthday! Hope it was a good one!
Thank you, Karen! I appreciate that. It was a great one.
Hope you are doing well!
(sorry I am late to reading this!!)
awwww, this is such a sweet post from your husband!!! Love the words…you both have such a way with your words!
Hope you had an amazing birthday!