Anyone blessed to be born on January 2 gets a prize each and every year like clockwork. “Congratulations, you’re the proud owner of the first forgotten birthday.” Eight days after Christmas and two days following the big party on New Year’s Eve, few people can remember anything about January 2 ,much less who’s born on that day. I’m not complaining. Anyone having a birthday on any day is blessed indeed.
This note really isn’t about birthdays, but I couldn’t think of a better platform to make my point about a special person. Aside from my sons, I typically receive two phone calls every year with any consistency on my day. The first is from my oldest sister Janice who still manages to remember the baby brother.
The other person I met over 30 years ago. Eliza Miller saw me as a skinny kid trying to get in with the family so that I could get to know her daughter. Mrs. Miller was my ticket inside. For whatever reason, she liked me…I still can’t figure that out. She started calling to wish me a happy birthday in 1982 and she never missed a year. Once I was in the family I not only got a phone call on my birthday, I also received a card, perfectly delivered either the day of or a couple of days before my day.
While visiting several years ago, I happened to notice her calendar resting on the dining room table. This was no ordinary calendar. She had the names of many people with their birthdays complete with detailed notes. And it wasn’t just birthdays, it was anniversaries, graduations, retirements and several other events worth celebrating, all with neatly written comments attached. It was remarkable. I turned back the pages to find every month packed with names and information.
Lying beside the current calendar was a brand new version for the upcoming year where she had already begun to fill in the moments she wanted to celebrate. I later found out that she took great pride in shopping for the cards that she would mail throughout the year to touch the people she cared about.
I personally received cards not just on my birthday, but on father’s day and anniversaries. Before that visit, I thought I was special, but it turns out that Eliza Miller was the special one. I just happened to be one of the many who she found special enough to touch with a card and a call. She literally could not wait to make someone’s day.
- Eliza Miller and her husband LC Miller
For the first time in nearly 30 years, I didn’t receive a card on my birthday from Eliza Miller. She left for greener pastures suddenly late last year. While she’s not my mother, she was always very motherly to me and I greatly appreciate it. No matter what endeavor I decided to take on throughout the years – and there have been many – “Liza” would always find a way to be a source of encouragement and that’s huge in this world.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers who care enough to make those around you feel special. Leading with your heart to touch those you love means far more than you know.
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Thanks for reading my blog. Have a terrific day,
Greg
