Birthdays and Donuts

 

In February, we have three birthdays. Meg's, Elliot's, and Munchie.  It is a nice month. There is always some birthday cake to eat. Today I am making a Funfetti cake. I don't buy the cake mix, I make a white cake and add sprinkles. That way I can add more sprinkles.

I buy donuts. I started a tradition on the kids birthdays when they were small I would run to my local donut shop, and get donuts and they would be so happy, because that is the only time I ever bought them.
 I will go this morning.
When Elliot was little and I would take him with me to pick out what kind he wanted, he asked me once, "How come you don't visit your donut shop more?" Puzzled I looked down at him, it dawned on me. There on the sign was " Mom's Donut Shop." I still hear his little voice in my head and I am sure I will hear it today as well.

I asked Elliot last night did he want donuts for breakfast? He said yes that would be nice. He then told me about another shop,  one of his friends had told him about and he said it was a really weird place. He told me the story, and I laughed and said, " Oh it is a weird place, I went in there when it first opened and there was all these empty cases. I looked around and the man came out from behind the curtain, with a scowl on his face. I asked him  "am I too late are all of your donuts gone?" He pointed his finger at me, and said, " Donuts all gone!! You too late!! You come back earlier next time!!" I was backing out the door as he pointed that accusing finger at me. I laughed all the way to the car and thought, well I won't be going back there.

At Mom's doughnut shop, it is owned by a very, very sweet couple who originally came from Cambodia. When I first started going, they only knew a little bit of English and now they are just like me, they had babies when I was having babies and now their babies are all grown up like me. They also have a Chinese food restaurant in the afternoon that makes the best Kung Pao chicken you ever tasted.  But I digress

I told Elliot, " it was a lot more fun when I got to take him shopping for his birthday to buy Batman, and Storm Troopers and Halo toys. Couldn't I just take him shopping for action figures today? Maybe some Legos?"
He said, " No, Mom, I really need an office chair." Last year, he wanted a printer. So, I will do what I do best, I will feed him.

When I was going to have him, and Ron was taking the other children to Grandma's house, I asked his older brother who was four, what we should name him if it was a boy. He promptly said, " Moses, because he liked that name." I laughed and said, okay we will see. Elliot was almost born in the shower, at home, so maybe I should have named him Moses. Because I almost drew him out of the water.  I always think of that too. It was a Tuesday like today, Twenty two years ago. My fifth baby. He is still as sweet as a man as he was as a baby. Being the fifth, he had to put up with lots. Like older brothers lowering him out the second story window with a rope tied around his waist to get sodas at quiet time, and then being pulled up by the same rope. If neighbor  next door had not told me, I doubt if I would have ever known.

Well, should go get those donuts, and get the birthday cake made. Thank you for letting me reminiscence today.
I have been given the world, and with each birthday, I am reminded of the incredible blessings I have been privileged to have been given.

Sorry about that ground hog, and that six weeks of winter thing. The pear trees across the road are starting to bloom. I am not happy about it at all.

~Kim~

My verse for today, Twenty- two years ago.

 " Waiting patiently is almost impossible
unless we also are learning at the same time to
find joy in the Lord, commit everything to Him,
trust Him, and be quiet.
---Loneliness, pg 133
Elisabeth Elliot.