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Happy Birthday...
By Hratch Balozian
Dear Family friends and all whom I pray for: When I
was sent to prison in 1997, my children were very young and this month
they will be in their teenage life. God bless them both. Although I have
not been physically present in their lives through the preceding thirteen years
having missed many of their birthdays, I am grateful to the family which
has been taking care of them with continuing love, and guidance. God bless
them.
Birthdays are milestones...
significant points in the passing of time... unforgiving reminders that
the sands of time continually slip through our fingers. The Psalmist gives
us the perfect prayer: "Teach us to make the most of our time, so
that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:12.
So as not to let the sands slip
away unnoticed, let us stop and reflect. Are we just growing older... or
are we also growing up? Are we merely "numbering our days,"
counting each year--- that grinding measurement of existence -- or adding
bits of wisdom and insight, bettering our character, and adding positive
traits that were no here in years gone by? Excuse me for digressing into
sentimental father, pondering the past, philosophical as to matters that
cannot be recovered. Wondering of the "What ifs."
There have been many
missed birthdays. But we had the years before the tragedy, and we made the
most of them, wonderful, glorious years! And there have been the bitter...
sweet years since. For the precious memories I am most grateful to God,
and my children. Birthdays remind us the most precious times, and of the struggles,
that we have shared with our children. Don't let the birthdays of your
children slip by unnoticed. Embrace the birthdays of every child.
On occasion, as I lay on my
prison bunk, eyes closed tightly, the memories flood over me. At such
times, thinking of you, tears (joyful and sorrowful) pour from my eyes.
And me : sobs that chatter the crystal silence of early morning. As God is
my witness, the sands of time have not lessened the pain and sorrow of
missing you! I wish you a happy birthday. May God fill your days with
love, blessings and happiness you so deeply deserve. God has given us
rainbows, flowers, and song, and the guidance of our loved ones to help us
along. God loves you, and I love you very, very much. You are always in my
thoughts and prayers.
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