I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting over the past week. I find that sometimes accompanies a birthday (which I celebrated over the weekend). Not a milestone one with a zero at the end, just a run of the mill one. Yet, even so, it promoted a lot of thinking. My dad and I have birthdays in the same week, so when he was alive we always celebrated together. That alone always gives me food for thought this time of year. As I found joy in celebrating over the weekend (even had a celebrity sighting of Dustin Hoffman while out to dinner with my family), I was acutely aware of so many others that were suffering losses right now.
Remembering those people, and how unexpectedly life can take a dramatic turn, made me even more grateful for the small things, that are really actually the BIG things. Like an extra hour of daylight (first time in 48 yrs I think) and a weekend visit from my favorite hard working college gal. Definitely two priceless gifts! Flowers, coffees, dinners, and loads of love from my tribe of gal pals. It was a FULL week of girl time too! But note that the cupcake above was from my hubby :).
I also took quite a bit of time to go over every Facebook Birthday greeting I received and to think of each and every person who posted a greeting, how that person came into my life, and to send them a bit of light and love. I LOVED reading them all, but here are a few of my faves.
“Happy Birthday! I adore you and feel all your positive energy all the way on this side of the world. Lots of blessings to you. Xo from Ethiopia”
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ~ Dr. Seuss ♥ Have a lovely Birthday today, and for the rest of the year dear Kristen
“Happy birthday pretty girl! You`ve just stepped into your one cycle year of new beginnings and fresh starts as well as heightened intuition. Most of what you begin between now and your next birthday will meet with success so take risks and take action. It`s going to be GREAT!!!!”
“Happy birthday Kristen ! We’ve been friends for 44 years now!”
It was both overwhelming and humbling. I just hope all this reflection doesn’t mean I’m heading for a mid life crisis. NAH!