Happy Birthday to a Special Lady! (Rosalie Flickinger)

Fifty-four years ago today you were celebrating your 19th birthday!  And on that day a little girl was born into your life. She was special in many ways, but mainly it was because she was born on your day!  And because of that, you have always been special to her.

It wasn't that you got to spend that much time together, because truth be told, in the 54 years since then, you really only lived close to one another for 4 years of her college life.  But those were important years for her, first time away from home and all.  There were so many times when a conversation with you changed her perspective on life.  Whether it was a new awareness that "God can make it happen" or a faith journey that stretched you to trust Him more, this girl was watching. Her recipes files are filled with some from your kitchen.  Her memories are many of the summer she stayed with you: waking up late for school, talking about your work, or church, or movies.  Sharing picnics in your backyard or 'Sound of Music' night with the girls from her hall around your TV, and even a bridal shower in your living room.

Though miles separated you from the girl, she continued to watch you!
She watched you take the step to move to Minnesota.
Then build your dream house, only to let it all go a year later to move to Germany.
Or the time you came to the States to say good bye to your mom, only to have her pass away right after you got home and not be able to return.
She watched as you returned to Omaha- for the third time.  Once when you were in college, once when the girl was in college and Flick was teaching there, and now, once again, at the place where you two fell in love.  A place of beginning again!

Finally to 'retire'! (Yeah, right!) and then face some of the biggest life lessons yet!  You have continued to press into your relationship with your husband- Fifty plus years! She was watching and learning to press into her relationship with her husband as well!

All the while, you have continued to be faithful example of a steadfast hope in an awesome God! It hasn't always been easy! But you have always kept on!

That girl is so grateful that you have been her life, so grateful that your faith journey has influenced hers! Thank you for being you- for being authentic!

Happy Birthday Aunt Rosalie!
I love sharing your day!
Kathy

Happy Birthday Brie!

Today I celebrate you!

Though I have been for weeks now! To hear you speak and process and love and laugh with such depth, richness & authenticity has been so inspiring.

I'm amazed how your bold step to spend last fall in Rome- so far from home, actually brought you back home in so many ways- with calm, and contentment & much joy! It gave you confidence to take other bold steps in life to find health and healing, adventure & peace.

I wonder at the clarity of purpose you gained while in a surroundings so different than you've ever known. Your attention to what you saw and experienced made you keenly aware of those 'awe inspiring' moments that left you breathless- speechless- full of wonder!

I love how you are translating that awareness to your work and relationships here at home. Your art shows how you SEE and feel and love. I see it! I feel it! I love it! It's so awesome to see the real you in all of your beauty continuing to grow and develop.

I know you are looking at your 'one more year' in school as a very short time to get it all in. But it's only a beginning of all there is to be amazed by in your world.

Work like you don't need the money! Love like you've never been hurt! Dance like no one is watching!

I love that you are my daughter! Happy Birthday, sweetheart!

Happy Birthday Cait!

I celebrate you today Sweetheart! Today you turn 24! I know- you feel 'old'- after all it is almost a quarter of a century! And yet you are so young with life & vision and knowlege!

I marvel daily at your joy of learning! Ok so writing a paper is not your favorite thing- and yet it is! You love the digging and reading and putting it all together. Your face lights up when Dad or anyone else wants to genuinely know what you are learning.

I admire so much the relationships in your life- the depth of friendship and comraderie you have with them. The loyalty and love you feel for them! Some of them invited you into the relationship- others you brought close.

I love the fact that you don't know what you'll be when you 'grow up'! I know it's awkward- and even hard at times! But you know from watching your Dad & I that WHAT you do is always changing. But HOW you do anything you do will always be part of you! So keep "BE"ing you! You are amazing!

I'm so grateful you are in our lives! I'm so proud of how you've weathered life as it has been dealt you and taken BOLD next steps. I love how you love! Deeply, "care"fully and authentically!

Happy Birthday dear one!
I love having you for a daughter!
Mom

(aren't you glad I didn't say "I remember when you were born...."?)