Today is Makenzie’s birthday. (If I’d forgotten, her friends’ posts on Facebook would’ve reminded me – Thank you).
I think back to last year’s birthday and thought that my daughter was weird. We asked her if she wanted to have a party to celebrate her 18th birthday. We asked her if she wanted to “do it up grand” but instead, all she wanted was to be with Kellie, Nathan, Maddie, Grandpa, Grandma and me. Didn’t matter what we did. Didn’t matter where we went. She simply wanted to be with the people who loved her most. Weird.
So we packed up a picnic and headed to the beach; just the seven of us; the perfect number to celebrate a perfect day. Fighting the salted-infused breeze, we lit the candles, slaughtered THE SONG, and munched on a Sam’s Club, hand crafted, glazed lemon cake. Simple. Beautiful. Holy. Weird.
Today, we don’t have any candles; no cake or picnic. We didn’t wake up, pull out our family’s Celebration Plate on which would be her birthday breakfast. We didn’t sneak up to her room, jump on her bed and wake her up by yelling “Happy Birthday!” All we have this year are the well wishes of her dear friends and family, the memory of birthday’s past and the pictures that support them.
But for us, that is enough. Because for 18 years, we raised the amazing girl whom God entrusted to us. A girl who loved her Maker. A girl who changed our lives. A girl who, by being beautifully different, was wonderfully weird.
Happy Birthday, my dearest princess.
Peace,
todd
Life Changing Links …
- Tribute Video played at Makenzie’s Celebration Service.
- Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
- “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
- “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
- “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)
Todd Stocker 
Makenzie was blessed to have such “weird” parents. You are amazinging weird!!!! God bless you this day!!!! It is strange to know that today is her birthday. I drove past the “accident site” today and am continued to be amazed by the outpouring of Love and rememberance that continues at that site. You were, and are blessed
What a wonderful memory! I hope you all have many more wonderful memories of her throughout this special day. Thinking of you all, and praying for your continued healing through this year of firsts. We miss ALL of you, and think of you constantly. Much love, Val.
Your blog today was beautiful! May what a nice month to have a birthday. My daughter Tammys Was April 13 another nice spring month, She too was a dancer, so between her andMakenzie I am sure there is alot of dancing going on:] Nancy in SD.
WOW – How our Father must be pleased with the degree of acceptance you have grown to own regarding the gift Makenzie was to your life AND the degree of trusting Him for the future without her physical presence.
Seems like you may be ready to minister others once again — with new and renewed wisdom and hope.