Piper

Today is a date that is forever etched in the recesses of my mind.  It was the first and for a long time, the only person’s birthday that I was able to remember, besides my own!  It is the date that I have given as identification repeatedly over the last three to five years at medical offices, hospitals as well as Federal, State and County offices.  It just happens to be exactly five months later than my own birthday… and it just happens to be my wife’s birthday!

Humm, let’s see… According to the website “Namipedia” the origin of the name Piper comes from an English occupational name meaning one who played the pipe or flute.  Well, that fits her as she learned to play the flute and the piccolo in the band during her Junior and Senior High years and then continued to play the flute throughout her adult life.  Termed as a bright and musical name, it has been steadily rising in popularity.  It’s been reported that the name of Piper wasn’t even in the top 1000 on the Social Security baby names list before 1999.  It is now listed at Number 172.  That also makes a lot of sense as when we were dating everyone would always go on and on about the uniqueness of her name and then ask me again what mine was!  Now it is pretty common to see little Piper’s around town!

My Piper always has enjoyed her name, and just like it has been termed, has always been bright and musical.  As I have mentioned before in this blog, music has always been a major contributor to our relationship.  One of my earliest recollections of Piper’s musical talents was sitting in the audience at the Saturday Afternoon Clubhouse in downtown Santa Rosa with Piper’s paternal Grandmother, enduring what seemed like hours of little kids proudly attempting to play their memorized pieces at a piano recital.  The audience audibly sighed when my 17 year old Piper, as the last and oldest participant, sat at the piano and played an intricately beautiful piano concerto by the French Composer Claude Debussy.

Proverbs 31:10-12, 26-29 perfectly describes my wife:

“Who can find a wife with a strong character?

 She is worth far more than jewels.

 Her husband trusts her with all his heart,

   and he does not lack anything good.

 She helps him and never harms him,

   all the days of her life.

 She speaks with wisdom,

   and on her tongue there is tender instruction.

 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family,

   and she does not eat the bread of idleness.

 Her children and her husband

   stand up and bless her.

 In addition he sings her praises, by saying,

   ‘Many women have done noble work,

     but you have surpassed them all!’”  (God’s Word ©)

Happy, blessed Birthday Honey!  And I can’t think of anything better to conclude except the words of King Lemuel who stated: “A women who has the fear of the Lord should be praised.  Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”  (Proverbs 31:30-31 God’s Word ©)  Your rewards are to be without measure and your achievements will last through the generations to come!

Have a great day everyone!  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself, “What am I expecting today?”