54 years of a "Happy Accident"

It's the first Friday of 2014, and we are ready to share another Thought-Tale here at The Henderson's.  On this Friday, neither of us is feeling like we really need anymore celebrating, as it's been a full two weeks of delightful revelry with our family and friends.  I have the added pleasure of also celebrating my birthday in the festivities of holiday times, as I was born on January 1st.  This charmed birthday has given me a lot to work with in my 54  years.  As a very small child, my Mother would awaken me to come watch the Rose Parade - my parade as she called it - and I thought everyone certainly knew it was my celebration day.  "You are so happy, it's no wonder your name is Joy", is a statement I've heard throughout my life, and I always smile when I hear it.  The truth is, my parents named me Joy because it's a nickname my Father called my Mother, whose name is Joyce.  

And the other truth is, my birth was far from a happy event.

You see, I was not planned by my parents, who were very young, from very different backgrounds, and very poor when my Mother discovered she was pregnant.  Suffice it to say,  that it was not a fortunate time to be born, but fortunately, times were not what they are now, and my parents found a way to put together a home where they would raise this child they were not ready for.  I very easily could not have been born, and my parents would not have gotten married, and would probably not have later brought two more children into the world.  But that's not how it went, and so, on January 1st, in the County of Tulare, Joy Tamberlin Costa was born.  The birth was treacherous, and at one point, my father was informed that he might have to choose between my Mother's life and mine.  But that's not how it went, and I was born a very healthy girl, at 8:07 am.  Neither of them considered that there was some benefit to being born on January 1st at 8:07 am.  After all, it was well beyond midnight or the early hours when other children must have been born.  But the Visalia Times Delta showed up and wanted information and a  picture. Another child had been born, but his life was not to continue, so, yes, I was the first baby born that year in the entire county.  My very poor and alone parents were the recipients of a truckload of gifts, including formula for the whole first year of my life.  What must they have been thinking in those first moments?  

Perhaps they watched the Rose Parade together and smiled.

This fate filled story is probably why I smiled and sighed when I saw the tribute poster to Bob Ross, the wonderful Artist who taught others about painting on PBS.  "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents". My existence, from the beginning, was viewed as a 'mistake' made by two immature youngsters.  I should have been born on 12/30, but my Mom's 'mistake' of care during her pregnancy delayed it by a few days. I was not an easy baby, but they decided to name me Joy, and somehow, in their youth, with struggle and certain determination, they helped me to become more than just a mistake.  Instead, I grew into my name, and became a Happy Accident.  My life, a happy accident, has produced a few other happy accidents, and some hoped for gifts, namely, my four children and three grandchildren.  I look to them to continue to produce value and hope from where there once was poverty and distress.  

Happy Accident morphed into awesome opportunities.

So here's to all the times in the coming year when we will want to fold because we don't like the cards we've been dealt.  Here's to the times when we will go left instead of right, and want to give up the journey.  Here's to the words we will utter that should have been left unsaid that will make us consider ending a relationship.  Here's to taking all of these potential decisions as an opportunity,  as we allow them to teach us instead of defeat us. Tonight, we are drinking something I call "Accidentally Awesome" to add to our enjoyment of this new year:  CHEERS FRIENDS!

Accidentally Awesome Cocktail

2 oz of Goldschlager
2 oz of Apple Pie Liquor
1 splash of Club Soda

Place liquors in a small glass, add Club Soda to top.