Grab the Extinguisher, My Birthday Cake’s on Fire!

Book Description

In this exclusive collection, you’ll find articles that best epitomize Pat’s spunkiness and storytelling skills. She travels back and forth in time, remembering and celebrating different moments of her life. As a successful single parent of four now-grown children, she has learned over the years what is important and what isn’t.

Family is key. So, too, are friends, freedom, adventures, hard work, playtime, goals and dreams, health, and most importantly faith in God. This is the important stuff in life, the things that count, and by sharing her experiences with us, we all come away with a richer understanding of this gift called life. With every chapter, she serves up bite-sized Scripture, which is the foundation of her faith and which keeps her grounded.

Chapter Preview

You can’t have a party without “Invitations,” and that is what Pat does in the first chapter of this entertaining gathering. She invites us to do something new, whether it’s following Grandma and Grandpa Knapp’s no-stress, no-fuss example of drop-in hospitality or creating a “love fund” box for those times when others are in need. Then we focus on how to enjoy life’s surprises in “Ribbons, Bows and Wrapping.” Pat delights in her son Andrew’s unexpected placement of a Baby Jesus figurine, and she discovers a commonality in her parish and a neighboring Lutheran church.

“Party Time! Participate in Life’s Celebrations” takes us to birthday parties and weddings, lets us rejoice in the sounds of Christmas, and acknowledges life’s achievements and quieter times. We’re all susceptible to embarrassing moments or occasions when we’re not at our best, and Pat doesn’t sidestep hers. In “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” she makes light of those instances and reveals lessons that contribute to her “graceful aging.” It’s when we can laugh at ourselves or forgive ourselves that we’re on the right track.

In “The Birthday Cake,” Pat dishes out stories that reveal that little something extra about herself that brings her joy. Whether it’s asking the question, “Am I really happy doing this work?” or recognizing how to overcome SAD (seasonal affective disorder) by looking for the light, Pat tells us how to get the most out of life. After we’ve stuffed ourselves silly with cake, we’ll move on to those Kodak moments in “Say Cheese! Treasure Special Memories.” From “brown cows” with the folks to Pat’s education with the Sisters of Loretto, from first dates to the first grandchild, memories add a sweetness to life that is unmatched.

What’s a party without gifts? “Presents” is about how to receive gifts of love, and “Party Favors” tells us how to pass on kindness—two similar yet distinct facets of living a happier life.

And after the celebration is done, what’s left is the “Post-Party Cleanup: Age Gracefully and Stay Young at Heart.”

Here Pat reflects on those who’ve reached their golden years and those who’ve passed away. She takes stock on how hard we work and why, and she talks about prayer. It always comes back to that—our conversation with God. So welcome! Pull up a chair and visit awhile. And share in the celebration of this gift called life. —–

About this Author

Patricia Lorenz has packed quite a bit of living into fifty-eight years. This book is a celebration of her life and, in turn, our lives. It’s about growing older gracefully and staying young at heart.

Pat has been a friend of Guideposts since 1982, when she wrote her first story for us, “The Smock,” about her mother’s well-worn shirt that was playfully exchanged between the two of them for years in a love-filled game. Since then, Pat has contributed to the devotional book Daily Guideposts and is the author of several books, including Life’s Too Short to Fold Your Underwear.