August 22nd - Birthday Blessings!

Wednesday August 22^nd….

This has been a year of growth.  One perhaps birthed in August of 2011 with the first “Gratitude Project”.  It’s been a year where quiet evenings at home have won out over being “constantly on the go.”  It’s been a year that the simple joys of sitting on my deck, in the sunroom or on the swing, have grown more meaningful.  There is great peace and contentment in sitting still, reflecting and listening to creation.  This has been a year of increased contentment – regardless of trials, household repairs and occasional drama.  It’s been a year, where the recollection of simple and profound joys is far more prominent than temporary setbacks, disappointments and hurts.  Life is not perfect – but it is much better than most realize!

The year of growth culminated today with an office full of gifts and cards, a fireplace full of gifts and cards, phone calls, lunch with a dear, dear friend, lots of birthday hugs, simple, low-key dinner, chocolate ganache, a dirty martini with extra blue cheese olives and my favorite – “family game time!”  (It seems that I’m the only person around that appreciates board games!)  Oh well – it was a great day – just what I had hoped for.  Birthdays are especially fantastic for those of us who have the love languages of "gifts" and “words of affirmation.”   I’ve been overly indulged today!





Today was an around-the-clock reminder of the many special people God has surrounded me with. I am the recipient of much love and affection.  Gratitude fills my heart!

 And, as always – I’m not embarrassed to mention my age, I’m just grateful for each day here...and refuse to be a woman to proud to admit the years she's been given.

44 is off to a most fabulous beginning....