Another Year. A Few Thoughts and Observations...

(photo credit Frieda Hudson)
ANNIE AND GEORDIE CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS TODAY!
Counting blessings is easy to do when you reach another year and you're still breathing in and out.
I'm 46 now (actually when I started to type this post, I was still 45, but when I got back to write again, it was after midnight and alas.."time marches on!)...once upon a time, 46 sounded really old. Today, not so much.
I was surprised when the phone rang a little bit ago. I figured it was Marah. She has a big job interview tomorrow, so I was sure it was her!
BUT NO!!! It was my favorite prankster cohorts Martha and Gene Myers!!! They were "REMINDING ME" that it was my birthday.
Now, I have issues with Martha's birthday. I'm either early or late. I have NO idea why, as it shouldn't be a problem, but this past year, I think I got it right and called HER, waking her up, at midnight, so that I could be THE FIRST to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She was celebrating the big FIVE OH, so it was important that I terrorize her.
Payback was tonight. But they should know by now that I'm ALWAYS up at this time of day. It's "MY TIME" of day. I think, I write, I work on school work, I read and do all kinds of things. It feels great because it seems as though I'm the only person in the world awake! I actually look forward to this time of day for those reasons.
My good friend Catesby Jones, who is a fabulous singer, songwriter, performer and an all around great guy, also celebrates a birthday on May 16th, so I'm in great company.
Plans? I HAVE NONE! That is my plan. I want to basically do what I want and find enjoyment in the things that bring me pleasure and happiness today. That's all I can think of that I'd like to "have" to celebrate. No fanfare, no festivities, just peace.
We had dinner with my folks on Wednesday night and that was fun. We went over on Tuesday for the day and decided to spend the night and come home today. We had a great time together.
Today is also my best buddy's birthday!!! GEORDIE IS ELEVEN today. I can't believe it. Where does time go? Seems like yesterday
that he was just a pup, sliding across the floor anytime someone rang the doorbell. (When he was a pup, Domino's pizza had a commercial that included a doorbell ringing. (Remember the "GET THE DOOR, IT'S DOMINO'S commercials? They are etched in my head FOREVER because of my Geordie!) The commercial was aired A LOT! Each time it aired, this leggy, little Border Collie pup would take off to the door, barking his puppy head off, certain he had a visitor. His legs were all out of control on the wood floor and he'd slide (HARD!) into the front door each and every time! He was a precious pup! Still is...he's my number one sidekick. So, again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORDIE BOY!!! You are the best friend anyone could ever have. Even today, Wayne and I laugh at him sliding on that floor like a maniac!
I guess each birthday we have is a time to reflect on the past year. You wonder what the next year will bring, you look back at the past year and wonder if you got all the things done "at that age" you would like to.
I can say this. My 45th year was a good one. There were a lot of fears, worry, loss, etc. but I'm here. My best human friend continues to try to regain her life in a nursing facility. Wayne was injured badly last summer, but has recovered well and while the crazies on this planet keep right on being crazy, we go on with OUR lives. We have a lot of dear friends, which are gifts. We are surrounded with lots of love, we are all healthy and so life is beyond good. It is great.
Loss, hurts and unexpected events are all a part of life. When these things happen, we don't like them, but we know that we will survive. Faith is a big part of that knowledge. I don't know what people "do" in times of trial when they don't have deep faith. Many times, "faith" is all we have to rely on.
I love being in my 40's. I joke and say I'm still young enough to have lots of fun and be crazy...and old enough to know when to quit!
So, I'll use this post to thank all my friends for just that...being my friends. I love you all so very much!!
I'm at a place in life that "things" aren't important. LIFE is a luxury...and having genuine people around me means so much. There is no tangible item that can replace "good friends."
Who knows what 46 will bring? I know whatever it brings, I will enter into this 46th year with hope, strength, faith, security and lots of love. Who could ask for more?
Last year, Wayne, Frieda and I went out. We had a great dinner. Wayne gave me a rocking chair, Frieda gave me a hat that I LOVE! It's a farmer's hat and I adore it! And if you will remember, I also got FOUR donkeys!!! Poppy and Petal, Cinnamon and Muffin all came to live with us from Lenoir, NC. We had a BLAST going to pick them up! There were a hundred funny stories that came out of that trip. I will entertain myself with those memories as well.
I think back on turning 16. It was my "golden birthday." I was 16 on the 16th. A lot has happened and a lot has changed since those days. But, overall, I see a lot of similarities in myself from those days. I still love a good laugh. I still love animals. I still sing, write songs and hopefully am better at that than when I was 16..but I'm glad I haven't changed dramatically.
I'm at an age now that "I like myself...a lot." I know my faults, my good points, my bad points and I know they create "ME" in the way that God planned. I hope He's happy with how I have turned out so far. Notice I said "SO FAR." We never stop growing and learning. (or at least we shouldn't!) When you stop those things, you stop LIVING!
So, this will be a quiet, peaceful, reflective birthday. It will be "MY DAY" and I plan to use it wisely. These days, I take nothing for granted.
I wish peace to those who are not peaceful. I wish love for those who don't know love. I wish comfort to those who are suffering and I wish kindness for those who are angry. I wish happiness for those who are sad. I wish satisfaction for those who are never satisfied. I wish restored health to those who are not well and healthy.
Most of all, I wish each of you contentment in your lives.
I am so very lucky. There are some who question when we say we are "blessed" and why would one person be "blessed" more than another. I won't debate that here. I will just say that through any adversity, as well as the good times in my life, I feel blessed. What an incredible birthday gift! As a gift to those of you who read my blog, I hope your birthday celebrations are just that...celebrations of YOUR lives!
And if you're reading this today and it's also YOUR birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! LIVE LARGE, LIVE LOUD AND LOVE EVERYTHING AROUND YOU! Heck, I'm going to take the liberty of not even proof reading this post! HA! That's totally outrageous for me, so I'm already starting to have FUN! This will be a great day!
Till next time,
(older today!) Annie

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