Isaiah 46:4

The beauty of life is much like that of a kaleidoscope. Each view is a rapture of light and colors that you are allowed to see only once. The next one will be a different and glorious sight of its own.

Some of us stepped into such a moment in time last Sunday afternoon as we celebrated the one hundredth birthday of Patsy Longmire. To make the moment even more celebrated was the presence of her sister, Virginia Laws, who is one hundred and three years old. The two of them are among the most lively, beautiful, joyful, and inspiring people that I know.

A birthday is special because it is the celebration of a gift: the gift of a life, of a golden link in the family circle, and a friend to many friends. As we stepped into the celebration, no one had to ask, “Where is Patsy?” Like a magnet made to attract happiness, she was where she liked to be, in the middle of laughter and love.

I was with Patsy during some of the joyful heights in her life, and walked a few miles with her through the valley of sadness. She has always seemed to face life’s challenges with a stoic confidence that God is bigger than the burdens we bear, and the sun never stops shining just because days get cloudy and dreary.

The Bible asks, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long-life bring understanding?” We will do well to spend time with the Saints who have traveled the distant miles of life’s journey.

Youth brings energy and strength to the task of living, but wisdom comes from the ones who have been where the young are going. Life’s greatest lessons do not come from a book, and the degree is not a framed document. It is another candle burning on a cake, and a smiling tune of Happy Birthday. It is happy for all of us because we have been blessed with a gift handmade by God. Happy one hundredth birthday dear friend.