My Birthday

Today is my Birthday.

My mom sent me an email today that started with "Happy Birthday Odie!" That's what they used to call me. You know Garfield's old pal, the dog that always had that stupid smile on his face. That was me. My parents gave me the nickname Odie because I was always smiling. I looked back at all my birthday cards from when I was a kid. Yes, I saved them. In every single one of them there was the word smile, and it was underlined by the sender. I was the kid that after having my picture taken, I would still have a smile on my face. I was just that happy. I look at my life now, and I am still that happy. I am so blessed to have the family that I do.

I know I don't smile like that anymore. I am definitely going to work on that. A smile on your face can bring a smile to another face. Just like a childs laugh, smiles are contagious. Have you smiled today?

On my birthday, I usually take a look back at my life and see where I have been, and where I am now. This always includes looking back to a horrible, but very memorable day. My 22nd birthday. September 11th, 2001. My birthday had always been a time of joy, and a time to celebrate. Now, everybody is thinking of those two towers, and the tragic loss of lives. Now when my birthday comes around each year I think about what I can do to save lives. I'm talking about eternity here.

Do you know Jesus?