Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

July 3, 2007

On this Birthday, It’s about the Gifts

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:48 am

I've been thinking . . .

about the gifts.

On this July 3rd birthday, I’m thinking about the gifts, yeah, the gifts.

On school mornings, when I was my dad’s 6-year-old shadow, he would take me to breakfast at McGill’s diner, a tiny place by the railroad tracks. In that early morning hour, McGill, my dad, and I had a world no knew. The counter had four stools with red leather and silver that stood on each side of an opening ithat Mr. McGill walked through. A jukebox sat by the front window, it played old songs.

My dad and I always sat in last the booth, the fourth one by the big opening in the wall. One step down took me into an old-fashioned Toy Store to wander alone.

My dad and McGill would talk over breakfast. I’d take the quarter he gave me and play songs on that juke box “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” “King of the Road,” and one more — maybe something by Nat King Cole. While the music played, I’d go into the toy store and contemplate one toy at a time. They seemed to belong together for me to visit every day before my dad took me to school.

Ah the gifts . . . the gifts I’m thinking about came from the feeling in Mr. McGill’s diner not his toy shop.

From my parents, I got my life and my learning. I can tell a story. I hardly worried about roadblocks put up to thwart me. He so loved people. She so understood and cared for them. They showed me where strength came from and they let me discover beauty.

From my brothers, I got protection and a sense of who I might be. One taught me how to communicate. The other taught me to play.

From my cousins, I got a sense of a big family. I got perspective and a wealth of popcorn-filled, backyard tales.

From the boy across the street, . . . going exploring in Kindergarent and our first kiss at 13.

A lifelong frienship started at 16.

Too many gifts to mention. I’m a lucky girl.

One cool, incredible gift is you — every morning, afternoon, and evening in my computer. It’s your thoughts. It’s the way you make me rethink my own. It’s the discoveries. It’s the laughter. It’s the way you make me better.

On this birthday, it’s about the gifts. Thank you.

Thanks for coming with on a visit to McGill’s Diner by the railroad tracks. I still remember all of the words to “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” and “King of the Road.”

I’ll always remember you.

Liz's Signature




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20 Comments to “On this Birthday, It’s about the Gifts”

  1. July 3rd, 2007 at 7:24 am
    Rick Cockrum said

    The sixty-fifth crayon.
    A color without a box
    showing us how to
    break out of ours, gifting us
    with the gifts you’ve loved and learned

    Happy birthday, Liz.

  2. July 3rd, 2007 at 7:31 am
    ME Strauss said

    Oh Rick,
    What a lovely birthday card.
    Crayons aren’t supposed to get all mushy, must be the sun. :)

    Thank you, Rick.

  3. July 3rd, 2007 at 7:42 am
    Juggling Frogs said

    Happy, happy birthday, Liz!

    May you always be showered in such gifts.

  4. July 3rd, 2007 at 7:43 am
    Vernon Lun said

    Liz, you celebrate life and people everyday on your blog. Today we celebrate you. I could name a thousand reasons why we should, the best reason is because I don’t have to. It’s just because…

    Have a terrific day.
    Vern

  5. July 3rd, 2007 at 8:10 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Juggling Frogs!
    What a wonderful wish! Thank you!

  6. July 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Vern,
    You have such a wonderfil way with words . . . I get to enjoy your sentiment AND the way you say it. Thank you and thank you again. :)

  7. July 3rd, 2007 at 9:16 am
    Brad K. said

    W.C. Fields was supposed to have said, “When I feel like exercising, I lie down until the feeling goes away.” Whatever you do, Liz, Don’t Lie Down!!

    Thanks for the perspective, and the gifts!

  8. July 3rd, 2007 at 9:19 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Brad!
    I’m laughing. Thanks for your brain and your sense of humor. You are such a plus and a pleasure. :)

  9. July 3rd, 2007 at 9:19 am
    Andreas said

    Happy day and happy life! Best wishes and thanx for the great resource! Andre

  10. July 3rd, 2007 at 9:27 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Andreas!
    Welcome and thank you for the lovely wishes. :)

  11. July 3rd, 2007 at 9:36 am
    Joanna Young said

    Hi Liz

    “The greatest gift is a portion of thyself” (Emerson)

    Thanks for sharing a portion of yourself with us each day, and today, sharing a part of your story, and the things that are important to you.

    I’m glad you feel like we bring you gifts too. Even if it’s just thoughts and words like this one :)

    Happy birthday

    Love Joanna

  12. July 3rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joanna,
    Gosh, you are here to greet me in the morning and around all day to keep me going. What good is giving something if you have no one to give it to?

    Receiving is a gift too. It takes two for gifts to work. :)

    Thank you.

  13. July 3rd, 2007 at 10:01 am
    pelf said

    Happy Happy Birthday, Liz! CHEERS to many more happy birthdays to come!! *hugs*

  14. July 3rd, 2007 at 10:03 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Pelf!
    Thanks for the (((hugs))) and back again!

  15. July 3rd, 2007 at 11:36 am
    GP said

    happy happy bday and a birthday parfait for you. http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/2007/07/in-spirit.html

    I am called to Ecclesiastes 3″> as G-d took daddy yesterday gently to be with Him

    gp in montana

  16. July 3rd, 2007 at 11:38 am
    ME Strauss said

    Thanks, GP!
    I’m enjoying it already!

  17. July 3rd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
    Kammie K. said

    Liz~

    Happy YOU day lady!

    I am so grateful there is a Liz Strauss in thsi world…enjoy your day and celebrate like the rock star you are!

    xo,
    Kam:)

  18. July 3rd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
    Lara said

    Liz you stinker… you didn’t tell me yesterday that your birthday’s today! Stinky sneaky stinker… :P

    I love you Liz!! Happiest of Happies today, chicky!

  19. July 3rd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Thank you,
    I’m no rock star. I’m just a me who appreciates you. :)

  20. July 3rd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Lara!
    Thank you . . . no reason really. It just never came up. :)

    I love you too. :)

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