Life moves swiftly, embrace it while you can.

*90 years ago (5/21/1932) - Virginia Marie Boland, my mother to be, was birthed near the top of Elk Knob Mountain above Hinton, WV on the family farm.

*72 years ago (5/25/1950) - Virginia graduated from Hinton High School.

*Nearly 72 years ago (6/18/1950) - Virginia surrendered her life to Jesus Christ when in faith she was baptized by brother Adam Ward in Brooks, WV.

*69 years ago (1/20/1953) - Virginia eloped with Harold Dodd to the neighboring state of Virginia where they were married.

*68 years ago almost (11/25/1954) - Stephen Dodd was born; the firstborn son.

*64 years ago exactly (5/21/1958) - I interrupted whatever birthday celebration was planned for Virginia (my mother) and was born on her birthday.

*61 years ago almost (8/21/1961) - my little sister was born in Hinton, WV. My mother might have hemorrhaged to death had my great Uncle Ed not being on the street near the hospital where he was greeted by his brother-in-law (my maternal grandfather) who was frantically looking for a matching blood donor. My great uncle Ed and a gentleman named Franklin Richmond donated blood to provide for my mother's needs.

*50 years ago (1/2/1972) - I followed my mother's and father's examples and I was baptized into Christ at the Skyline Drive Church of Christ in Ashland, KY by brother Ray Daniels.

*50 years ago (early May 1972) - I preached my first public sermon at the age of 13 years. My wife found my note cards for that sermon last evening along with some other memorabilia from my childhood.

*42 years ago (12/25/1990) - My mother had a well-progressed cancer. I sat on the side of her bed. We had a private conversation. I thanked her for giving me Jesus Christ. She sat up from her reclining position and gave me a hug that will last my lifetime.

*42 years ago a little over a month later (1/29/1991) - My mother passed from this life with the full assurance in her heart that she was saved by Jesus Christ (cf., I John5:13). She was 58 years old.

* Today (5/21/2022) - My birthday is made more special by sharing the celebration of my mother's birthday as well with the knowledge that she gave me the greater gift -- her love, laughter and life - and the Greatest Gift -- a relationship with Jesus Christ.