I don’t know exactly when it started. But, it was definitely true on my 16^th birthday.

That particular birthday lasted over a week; there was just so much going on! I remember a slumber party at the Culver house with several of my friends. And, my sister, Janice, was home from college sometime before or after my birthday. She gave to me a pearl ring and that started my lifelong love affair with pearls. My family had a special dinner (probably stuffed pork chops) and birthday cake! And, I think that we took cake to the teen group at church one weekend. It was the first birthday that I remember that went on and on.

Poppa has told me more than once that I can make a birthday last longer than anyone he knows.

But, birthdays aren’t the only holiday that I stretch to cover more than day or celebrate at a time other than the “real” date. Yes, it started with birthdays for me, but I have learned to adopt two important truths for any holiday. One, everyone else in the world might celebrate on a specific day on the calendar, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to their schedule.  And, two, just because you have had one “birthday” or “Christmas” this year doesn’t mean that you cannot have another.

For instance, we have celebrated New Year’s Eve with the Smiths for several years. But, New Year’s Eve has not always been on December 31^st for us. I remember one year when we didn’t celebrate until February. We get together and celebrate the New Year whenever it works for us!

Next week, Thanksgiving might be on Thursday for some of you. For others, it might be on Thursday AND Friday. And, for some, that meal of gratitude with others won’t take place until well into 2016. Just relax; don’t worry that you won’t be able to enjoy that special meal. As long places like Cracker Barrel are open, we can find “comfort food” year round.

When will you set aside time to be thankful? Let’s stretch out this holiday as long as we can! And, let’s start now.

“For everything there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3:1a

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

p.s. I was talking with someone this morning about my next birthday. “When is it?” you ask. To be honest, I haven’t decided yet. I can celebrate anytime!