This is 53

We came across this picture the other day. She’s around the age of 5, maybe? It could be a birthday picture?

Could those be peonies in the background about to bloom? It looks like a cool, spring day because of the wool cardigan over the shirt with different color buttons. A flower clipped into her poofy, brown curly hair. The button nose. The smile. That dimple.

If she’s five, I wonder what she would say if we told her that 48 years later she would be a wife and a mother on the cusp of being an empty nester to her four kids? Or try telling her that her parents are almost 87 and living in a memory care home and can barely recognize her or remember her name.

She’d probably roll her eyes at you, giggle, get up, and run away to climb a tree.

Here she is in 2025 (she wishes she could climb a tree! ).

She still has the crazy hair, though it’s found a new color, or lack of color. She has a lot more wrinkles, a different cardigan, the same deep brown eyes and that dimple. A daffodil in her hair.

We’re amazed at how she’s grown and not just physically. Sure, motherhood and menopause have done their job on her waistline, but look at the courage and strength she’s gained being a wife, a mom, a writer, a dream encourager, a singer, a caregiver, a friend, an advocate for her health—but most of all, a daughter of Christ.

She’s thankful for the 53 years of circling the sun.

We hope she never loses her kindness, courage, and strength and especially the dimple.