When I woke up on Tuesday, I was greeted with a sunrise and birthday wishes from little voices and a loving husband. It was a special day, the day of my birth.
“How old are you mom,” he chirped at me while gobbling up spoonfuls of oatmeal.
I smiled, not really wanting to disclose my true age to my son.
Why?
I’m not sure.
I hesitated a moment before saying “I’m 39 today,” then I repeated again just to let it sink in “39.”
His eyes got big and he said “that’s old.”
I nodded and smiled.
When I was younger birthdays were full of pomp and circumstance. Cards and packages would filled the mailbox and I would jump up and down with excitement. Birthday celebrations often extended weeks and sometimes the whole month of October would be a celebration of ME! I would orchestra big celebrations and inevitably it would be a disaster.
The gifts are different now, and as I’ve gotten older those fancy packages and over the top parties don’t mean much.
Now, 39 years later, I’m just plain grateful to see that sunrise, to hear those birthday wishes from little voices and loving husbands, and to engage in those witty breakfast conversations.
So, when the hubs said we could go out to dinner last night, anywhere I wanted, I chose to stay home, and chill with my boys.
And that my friends is THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!
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Which is why this will be the year of Gratitude, I’ve neglected it for almost 40 years and I’m taking this year before I turn 40 to make up for it. #GRATITUDE40
So, on each day for the next 365 days I’ll express my gratitude, through photos, status updates, blog posts or shouting it from the rooftops. It’s time to appreciate the life I live out loud!
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Each Thursday, we come together to celebrate living life with intention by capturing a glimmer of the bigger picture through a simple moment. Have you found yourself in such a moment lately? Share it with us!
Live. Capture. Share. Encourage.
This week we’re linking up at Melissa’s!
BE SURE TO CATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PREVIOUS WEEK ON BIGGER PICTURE BLOGS!
And head there for your daily dose of creativity:
prompts for photos, for words, for inspiration,
and for a life lived mindfully!
Amen!!! I’m so so so very VERY happy that you enjoyed your birthday and that you are doing a challenge to express joy. AWESOME! Also I’m very happy I stopped by because I heard your voice when I read this and I really needed to hear it today. :))
PS. I suck at emails, but I found the one you wrote me and my heart was touched deeply. I have a hand-written letter waiting to go in the mail for you. xoxo!
alita recently posted..Falling {bigger picture, simple moment}
Awww, thanks friend. You are the greatest. There are days when all I need is to look at one of your photos and it makes my day better, so I’m glad I could return the favor. I think I remember the email…I know you needed it that day. So happy you found it. 🙂 XOXOXO
A dear {psychologist} friend of mine once told me that big holiday/reunion type celebrations where a family that normally struggles to get along comes together to act like all is well is one of the most typical signs of dysfunction. And I’ve often thought of my little “foursome” (now 5 including our son in law) … and how we enjoy being together on the odd days, the even days, the holidays….with pomp, without pomp … This has come to mean so much to me (having grown up in a family that was really only “happy” on holidays) … and I love that your sense of how to celebrate is by enjoying the gifts that you have every day! {hope this makes sense!} Happy Belated! And I might just be considering a year of gratitude for my next “365”!! Hugs
Adrienne recently posted..Piece by Piece
I wish I could meet you and your family, because they sound just ROCKIN’ AWESOME!!! I’d love if you would join me for some 365 Gratitude … it would be great to share.
I have this feeling … That this year is going to be a really amazing year for you, love. 🙂
You know what? So do I.
Happy Birthday! I wrote a similar post last week on my 30th and I agree. So much to be thankful for in these very special years. Turning 30 didn’t bother me one bit and I plan to look toward 40 and beyond with just as much excitement… and gratitude!
Lisa recently posted..Maybe That’s Why…
Thanks! Yeah, 30 was nothing for me, and actually like I said I loved my thirties. I think it’s I just feel that way because my 30’s were so great, and I’m not sure if the 40’s can top it. 🙂
Love this! And what you said here: “The gifts are different now, and as I’ve gotten older those fancy packages and over the top parties don’t mean much.” Because, the older I get, the more I realize this too. It’s simply a gift to be given another day…and, all I REALLY want for my birthday each year is to soak up those precious moments with the greatest blessings God has given me.
Stephanie Hanes recently posted..Guest Post: What’s A Super Mom, Anyway?
I work at a retirement community and all my older residents tell me that … “oh, it’s just another birthday, I’m just thankful to be here.” And you know what I didn’t want to wait until I was 90 to start being thankful. 🙂 Right? Keep soaking up the blessings EVERY DAY.
Sounds like an absolutely perfect birthday celebration to me.
When I turned 39 I got to school that afternoon to pick up my son. I was surrounded by all the primary teachers who were heaping birthday wishes for a 40th birthday on me. My son had over estimated my age as he told everyone he saw that day. So, when I said it was really my 39th they all thought I was lying!
May recently posted..Recognizing Blessings
Ok…totally giggling over here about that one. Well, at least the next year when actually DO turn 40 it won’t be such a shock. 🙂
I think it is very cool that you chose to stay home with your boys! So fun.
I hope this year is wonderful.
Stacy @ A Delightful Home recently posted..Benefits of a Life Offline {A letter from my daughter}