Birthdays, Memories, and Meatloaf

Birthdays are a big thing at our house, and with six children they keep rolling around and around.

For me, birthdays have their own way of bringing back memories of bygone years.

When the children were small and Daniel was still here, we would usually celebrate the birthdays as a family. Though I idealized hosting guests for the occasion, it was all I could do to get a decent meal on the table, balance little ones, do a bit of decorating, and have a smile on my face when my husband walked in the door for supper. Owen, who stayed at our house, would also be present for the birthday meals. Sometimes when I think back to those years, I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry. Yes, they were good times and I'd never do without them, but they were also intense.

Looking back I wonder if it was God's hand prepping us to live life without Daniel. I especially recall that one birthday party we were getting ready for — or trying to; there were little ones running all around the kitchen demanding my attention. I was on the verge of tears, but there was nothing to do but to keep going and decorate the cake and finish my cooking and settle squabbles as I attempted to get the older ones to help with what they could. I pulled out a bench and thought if the children would sit down for even a little, I could get a good bit done on supper, but no, it would not work. Those were days I was eager to see them grow up.

Now that the children are getting older, they can make a difference in helping with whatever needs to be done and they also get to choose guests for their birthday meal. Though Owen is no longer staying at our house they still like to invite him and his brother, Eli, who also moved to the area. Then there are both sets of grandparents who live locally, there are school friends, and such.

Since you can't invite everyone every time, we decided to stick with about seven guests per party, then kind of switch out and take turns on who comes to which birthdays. By keeping the parties to a minimal size we all fit comfortably in the kitchen and keep things a bit more low-keyed for the cook. Somehow there is still something about having a lot of people in my house, minus my husband to lead, that I have to push through most times when hosting a crowd.

On the last birthday we were talking about getting older, and how the years kind of creep up on you without really finding out what is happening. Like someone recently reminded me that my children will someday soon all have grown up. I am excited for their teenage years, but it also makes me shudder — what then? I cannot imagine any of them leaving our home just yet! My mind flashes to my dad's example: "It's okay to not all be in the same state, community, or country, as long as we are serving the Lord!" Whew, that gets me stretched.

"Lord, teach me to raise children for You — not for me!"

For today I'll enjoy my 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 14-year-olds. Tomorrow will not be the same. The little things that make them smile today will not be significant to them next year. Dandelion bouquets will have been the most precious, my rock collection in the bedroom will have been worth it, and the games we played in the front yard after dark will only be a sweet memory.

Though there is that sadness of time moving on, I am comforted to know that to all endings there must be new beginnings. If these children can be somewhere, passing on the love of Jesus, those times at home will not have been in vain. As an adult, when they face hard things that drive them to their knees, it will not have been in vain for the times a child would again run in my arms, telling me they miss Daddy and together we talked then prayed.

For you or I, today may feel, or actually be difficult, but who would want to do without it?

As Daniel would say, "The hard things in life will bring us what we want to have."

Lord, bring on the hard, we'll take it; You will do it with us and for us.

The next birthday meal coming up will be for Austin, my oldest son, who will be turning 11 years old. The rules on keeping the crowd small will be bent as his uncle and family from Alaska plan to be here. Besides his regular guests he'll be inviting his cousins whom he has not seen for well over a year. (Let me insert here that my auntie instincts are becoming alive as I think of those sweet children including their twins who were born this summer — am so eager to get my hands on them!)

Austin decided on a mashed potato meal, complete with meatloaf. I’ll be using Mrs. Lehman’s tried-and-true version — simple, moist, and flavorful.

Meatloaf

· 2 pounds ground beef

· 2 eggs

· ¾ cup cracker crumbs

· ¾ cup milk

· ¼ cup chopped onions

· 2 teaspoons salt

· ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Mix all ingredients together and place in an oven-safe pan. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Spread with sauce and bake another 30 minutes, or until done. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Sauce

· ½ cup ketchup

· 3 tablespoons brown sugar

· 1½ tablespoons mustard