It is my birthday today. I have lots for which to be grateful. How come I don’t express more gratitude in my day-to-day living? Why is it that gratitude often comes from a place of profound life experiences … like birthdays? I guess it is because it is during birthday celebrations that I come closest to my mortality. It is only on my birthday when I am profoundly aware of the passage of time. It is only when I realize how fast time actually passes that I desire to slow it down and appreciate all that I have. So on this day, I am ever so grateful for the following:
- Pretty purple wild irises that bloom even in the wettest of summers.
- Lounging in my pajamas almost the entire, live-long day.
- Birthday wishes and greetings from 94 (and counting!) Facebook family members!
- Special birthday text messages from seven treasured friends and family.
- A birthday voicemail from my mom.
- My sweet husband who is working diligently to fix my dishwasher.
- Dinner that I didn’t have to cook.
- My beautiful cousin and her hubby for celebrating my birthday … family is everything!
- Too much wine! Sometimes that is okay, particularly when Keith is there to drive me home!
- My daughter, who is off running her heart out and, self-admittedly, slightly miserable, who still remembered my day and called to wish me a happy one.
What I am struck by is the idea that gratitude shouldn’t be left for special ocassions. It should be recognized and cherished and celebrated in every day events. It is in those moments that I can truly be grateful in all that I am and all that I have.
Happy birthday to me!
Cheers!
Teresa