Happy Birthday!

“Happy Birthday, dear Amanda…Happy Birthday to you!” As the strains of the song remained in the air and applause broke out, I knew that the day was nearly over for me and the cast and crew. I usually work on my birthday, which is okay with me. I get more attention that way AND have a small party with my work friends.

Birthdays for some people can be uncomfortable or just plain hard. Too many unrealized dreams, too many bad memories of birthdays missed or other trauma. I have been blessed in this area with loving family, laughter and humor. I also have one great life partner, my husband Mr. Wes. I call him that as a term of endearment. He isn’t that formal of a guy, but it is somewhat romantic in my mind in a Victorian sort of way.

For my birthday this year, he gave me an amazing gift…five empty recording tracks of my choosing! You have to understand; although I’m a producer and a screenwriter, I was once a performer for my supper. I sang and danced my way across Central Florida but put those things on the back burner for a variety of reasons. As time went on, less and less singing opportunities opened up for me and I was left nearly music-less. That made me sad.

Then, we had a man speak at church just a few Sundays ago about God giving you your dreams.

I got a little irritated by that…No, check that…I got angry. Yep, big confession time, I was not happy hearing this knowing that one dream of mine…one in which I’m natively talented in, was NEVER realized and here I am, too old for it to come true; then, this gift from Mr. Wes. It may not seem like much to you but I cried a long time after receiving it.

God gives us our dreams in the first place! He puts them inside of us for us and others to enjoy and for us to bring Him glory! Those dreams that you have inside, they aren’t silly at all, they just may be from the Creator of everything!

Ask your Heavenly Father to help you realize your dreams, even if you think it’s too late and then DREAM BIG!