Kevyn's Influence

My sister is gifted in many ways, but one of her greatest gifts is her ability to make people feel honored and special, especially on their birthdays. Before we were grown ups I didn't really cherish my birthday as much as I do now. I got excited about it and I was thrilled at the prospect of collecting my friends together to hang out, but I did not ever look at the day as belonging to me. Kevyn changed all that...

In my family we joke that Kevyn has a birthday month. She begins planning for her birthday months in advance, and she already has ideas about what would make the day special. Princess Kevyn knows how to celebrate in style and is eager to practice her skills. And while we joke about Kevyn's birthday, I think the true testament to my sister is that she really does devote that same kind of thought and energy to anyone's special day.

Kevyn thinks about her best friend Molly's birthday a month in advance. She orchestrates from two hours away the best way to honor Molly and make her feel loved. Kev does the same for everyone in my family as well. She wants to make the day special and she goes to great lengths to accomplish that goal. Kevyn pays attention to details that would fit with the person she's planning for, and she clears everyone's schedule to make sure that day belongs to that one person. She makes sure that your birthday is about you from the thoughtful gift that she picks out to the activities planned to clearing her schedule. I've heard her tell people before that she can't go to some engagement because it's her mom's birthday. And if prompted further about what the plans are for that day, she'll tell them that even if there aren't precise plans it's her mom's day. I truly appreciate this about my sister.

Her efforts echo the kind of thought my mom puts into Christmas. It is their attention to the hearts of what people would want and what would be honoring to them. These women and their desire to honor others are a huge blessing to me! So today I say without shame that the day does belong to me! That's okay because soon a day will belong to you and in the spirit of Kevyn I will find ways to honor you and make your day special! So if in the future I do a decent job celebrating your birthday, thank my sister because she taught me how to celebrate with the best of them!