it's her day!

The year was 1950...the date was February 23

...when Bill and Helen welcomed their firstborn into their family.

Beverley Helen Baerg...an only child for two years...

...and then my big sister.

We had a lot of good times together back in the day.

We dressed the same (not that we were given any option!)...
had tea parties and built forts...
and shared neighbourhood friends.

We shared a bedroom...and later a car...and lots of laughs.
We milked cows together...picked berries...and read books late into the night.

She was my artist when I needed one...
my seamstress in my teen years...
and my hair stylist (though there wasn't much stylin' happening in the sixties!)

Then came the seventies...and we went our separate ways.

She graduated from nursing...

...and moved to faraway Texas to pursue her career.

Bev...through all these years you have always been just a phone call or a flight away.

I have been to Texas on occasion...

you have been home regularly.

Ten years ago today...

we (your favorite four sisters) showed up at your doorstep unannounced...

and gave you the shock of your life.

We spent the weekend at South Padre Island...

helping you celebrate your 50th birthday...

and made memories to last a lifetime.

(Do you remember that? Smile.)

What fun we had!

For the record...we won't be coming tonight...

to help you celebrate your 60th...

much as we would like to.

But I'm sending you my best wishes for a very happy birthday.

With her boys ~ Len, Bev, Ricky

I'll leave you with a photo taken at Whistler last summer...

somehow appropriate for a birthday celebration during the Olympics of 2010!

May the journey ahead hold many good things...

may you be given the wisdom to meet every challenge that you face...

and may you continue to put your trust in God.

Happy Birthday!