Fifty

    

    

Two weeks ago, a letter arrived at our house addressed to my late husband, Darrell, from an insurance company. They evidently didn't get the memo that he passed away, as they were offering him life insurance. Cheerfully printed at the top, in oversized bright red letters, were the words, "Welcome to the Fifty Club!" I gave the letter a few exaggerated blink, blink, blinks, as it took several seconds for my brain to register the meaning behind the words I was reading. Fifty?!? It seems as though he were JUST a strapping twenty-six year old guy, sporting Army DCU's and a tentative smile. 

    But, it's true. Darrell would have turned fifty on his birthday this year. Yesterday was his birthday, in fact.

    While Luke and Jacob have been busy at the farm, this week, Ella and I have made the most of our time together by filling it with festively fun holiday magic, each night. Tonight's festivities were had in honor of her daddy. Darrell brought me to the Gaddy's in our first December as a married couple, in 2004. We have been visiting the Stanfield's for at least a decade, I believe. He loved our traditions and we typically visited these homes several times, each year, during the Christmas season. Therefore, Ella and I thought it would be fitting to celebrate what would have been his fiftieth birthday, by doing the things he loved every December for the past twenty years.

    With our bellies full of Zaxby's (his favorite!) we made a quick stop for coffee, like we do each year, and headed to the Gaddy's first! 

The Gaddy's were handing out sweet treats to their visitors tonight! 

     Many folks don't realize that the Stanfield's Giant Christmas Tree display is set up just a few miles away from The Gaddy's. The Stanfields invite you to drive thru and even park and walk around their yard to ogle their impressive light display. You can also tune into a radio station that they have synced to their massive tree, in the comfort of your heated vehicle. If you're brazen enough to endure the slight chill (my old Southern bones could barely stand the cold tonight), the music is played loud enough to listen as you walk thru the display and watch the lights dance about the tree. 

    While I know he would have LOVED every bit of tonight, I've zero doubt that his Heavenly home is far more extravagantly displayed than even the most precious traditions. Even still, Ella and I were happy to celebrate the day he was born and the fact that he was given forty-six years to leave the world his own little legacy. I feel so fortunately blessed to be a part of that legacy. 

With so much love to you from us, happy birthday, Darrell!