happy birthday, love!

today is a great day. it is a great day because 23 years ago today elizabeth anne cooper wagner was born. what a blessing to this world! so today we celebrate your birth, elizabeth, with great rejoicing.

henri nouwen wrote, "birthdays need to be celebrated. i think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam, a promotion, or a victory. because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: 'thank you for being you.' celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it. on a birthday we do not say: 'thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished.' no, we say: 'thank you for being born and being among us.' ...celebrating a birthday reminds us of the goodness of life, and in this spirit we really need to celebrate people's birthdays every day, by showing gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, and affection. these are ways of saying: 'it's good that you are alive; it's good that you are walking with me on this earth. let's be glad and rejoice. this is the day that god has made for us to be and to be together.'"

so in honor of elizabeth's 23 years on this earth, here are some pictures that i think really show what a blessing she is to us all:





















































one year older, one year wiser, one year more loved.

thank you, love, for being you and being here with us! you are truly adored, cherished, and loved!

love,
jw <><