My beautiful friend and colleague, Kathy Gibbs (aka Camo Kathy) has informed me that if we can't celebrate her birthday together tomorrow, she doesn't have to count it. In other words, Kathy will continue to be thirty-nine. (Full disclosure, Kathy's been thirty-nine for as long as I can remember!)
"Hold on," I told her this morning. "You know my birthday was last month. Even though a "shelter-in-place-birthday" is nowhere near as much fun as our usual celebrations, it's still your birthday!"
"Nope!" she insisted. "This one totally doesn't count! Having a birthday during this pandemic is not fabulous!"
Honestly, there's a lot about the world right now that is not fabulous, however; hearing these words come out of Kathy's mouth had me laughing. I could just picture my friend tossing back her long red hair and stomping her foot in frustration.
The Power of The Tongue
Now would be a good time to share that Kathy and I have worked together at The Vendor Guide for nearly thirty years. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard her use the word "fabulous."
Kathy is normally the first person to arrive at the office each day. Here's the way we'd start most mornings:
As I'm coming in the front door, Kathy calls out from her office: "Hey, Monica Simmons! Good morning!"
Me: "Good morning, Kathy Gibbs! How's your morning going?"
Kathy: "It's FABULOUS!"
I'd take a minute to throw my stuff down and turn on my computer than scoot next door to Kathy's office so I could see her smiling face. Many times (and always after she's just told me how FABULOUS! she was), I'd find my friend in less-than-fabulous shape.
Over the years I've seen her suffer from everything from strep throat to being covered in poison ivy. There were weeks when she was in a neck brace after being involved in a car accident that nearly took her life. Shingles, broken toes, colds, food poisoning—whatever ailment she might be dealing with, Kathy always maintained everything was FABULOUS!
Now, you might think this is a little like living in denial. I mean, why say you're FABULOUS! when it's obvious you're not doing so hot? Actually, it's more than just seeing life as the-glass-is-half-full. Check this out:
Romans 4:17(KJV) –(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
In Romans 4:17, Paul describes the faith of Abraham and provides us another example of what faith looks like. This verse references Genesis 17:4-7in which God spoke with Abraham and declared his covenant to him. Abraham was 99 years old when God explained to him that He was changing his name from Abram (meaning “exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of a multitude”).
When you think about it, FABULOUS! is actually a pretty great thing to be! It certainly beats the alternative state of NOT FABULOUS!
Sometimes it's a struggle to stay positive when the world around you seems to be falling apart. I'm thankful for my faith in God and for friends like Kathy who keep me on track.
Here's To My Partner In Fabulousness - Kathy Gibbs,
Happy Un-Birthday! Looking forward to seeing you at our office soon. Don't worry, I'll have a birthday cake ready for you & we'll celebrate then!
Closet ClotheSure Challenge 2020 Weekly Recap:
For those of you who've been with me since the beginning of my goal to remove anything from my closets that doesn't make me feel like a ten, thank you!
This week I've (not) worn the above four outfits to the office, starting with the Ann Taylor skirt/sweater on Monday. I'm going to hang onto this set. Tuesday-Thursday outfits were all from White Houe Black Market and I'm having a hard time saying goodbye to any of them. So, much to my husband's dismay, these are all keepers! (sorry James-but think of all the money I'm saving not shopping for clothes this year!)
Stay well, my friends and remember--
God is in control and hope is on the move!
Love, Monica
Comments