A more wonderful and satisfying day I could not have imagined. That was my birthday. A day of total selfishness. And selfish I was. I enjoyed  breakfast with a treasured friend, spent some of my birthday money on Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, worked in my back garden and added a few 70% off decorations from JoAnn’s and Michaels…..this purchase is by far my most favorite:

and then I took a nap until it was time to go to Applebee’s and enjoy some pulled pork tacos with my handsome husband. And being a Big Brother addict, my birthday would not have been complete without watching the latest episode of Big Brother before calling my birthday a huge success.

Yet with all this contentedness surrounding my birthday I would like to talk a bit about where my thoughts found me throughout the day…..reflecting on all the wonderful individuals who took the time to wish me a happy birthday!! Y’all deserve a special and heartfelt thank you because it is the people – not the events – that make each and every birthday a moment to remember.

My Husband and Daughter: Just the blessing of having you love me is all I ever need or want  from the two of you.

My Mother-In-Law and Sister-In-Laws: You are my real family.

My Father: I continue to love your cards on special occasions and I understand that you do the best that you know how under the circumstances.

My Brother: My greatest wish has been that our relationship wasn’t thwarted at such a young age. You continue to be my hero and the only one I can trust with the deepest darkest parts of me.

My Niece Jennifer: I am blessed every time you post a status update on Facebook!!!

My Cousin Carol: Although I must agree New York is where you need to be, I still hate that we aren’t close enough to share a glass of wine or two.

My Cousin-In-Law Susan: Wish we lived closer!!!

Miss Kristanne: A more thoughtful and truer friend I could never imagine. You stay friends with me even when I am not the friendliest. What more can a friend ask for.

Miss Lori: Words will never be able to express all your friendship means to me. You GET me….you make me laugh…and you notice the little things…and care. You’re the best!!!

Miss Betsy: It’s so wonderful to have a friend to share the ups and downs of parenting and to remind each other which things won’t matter 100 years from now.

Miss Pamela: I miss you terribly….even though I miss your birthdays and your 25th anniversary. You are an extraordinary individual who I wish still lived the next town over….I enjoy sharing our parallel paths.

My High School Friends: Reconnecting with all of you on Facebook has me regretting that I didn’t grow up a little bit sooner and went to all those high school reunions. Y’all enrich my life with your status updates and your encouraging words on my “wall”.

My College Roommate Lynne: Do you remember writing this???

To My Roomate Danni – October 21, 1972

as the lives of others

bind with coats and ties

you go shirtless

an open-neck life

a closed eye sureness

of the unseen path

Oh to go shirtless again!!!!!!!

My Blogging Friends: What can I say…..many of us have been together close to five years and have shared many, many, things without ever meeting face to face…and then some of us have been blessed to share a meal or two with each other. Either way….your walking beside me over these years has been both refreshing and encouraging. Y’all are the best!!!!

My Blessed Students and former Students: A hearty thank you for your birthday wishes and your support. You lift me up every class period and broaden my perspective every semester.

And so those have been my thoughts during and after my birthday celebration.

I am blessed.

“It is this intangible thing, love in many forms, which enters into every therapeutic relationship…and it is an element which binds and heals, which comforts and restores.” Karl Menninger

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes…they meant the world to me.