Birthday Blessings

I am one of those people who loves her birthday. Perhaps it’s because I am so grateful to have made it another year around the sun that I am like a little girl when it comes to my birthday. The joy that emanates from me is palpable. Perhaps it is because I am a cancer survivor, but honestly, I’ve always been this way. I just love my birthday and I’m not afraid to show it!

Some people my age (ahem) may not feel the same way I do, but I can’t help it! I am thrilled to tell you how old I am for I have made it through some hard times and I’m still here! I’ve earned every wrinkle (through laughter and tears) and I’m thrilled that I can say I’m over 50 years old and still here! I don’t shy away from telling my age because it’s only a number to me. A way to count my years on this planet.

I feel immense gratitude toward all of the beautiful friends and family that I love so much for making my day special – each in their own way. There’s such a wave of love that has poured over me today that I am floating on a sea of love and enjoying every single minute of it. How I wish I could share this with you (well that’s why I’m writing!) so I can remember this special feeling.

The darling birds are chirping outside my window pane and I have my beloved cats here next to me as I sip my coffee in the quiet of the morning. My children are still soundly asleep, safe and happy in their home with me. All is well and I feel so much gratitude to God for all that I have.

This peaceful full of love feeling has my heartlight shining at maximum luminosity. There is a happy song playing in my heart. Can you hear it too?

Please allow me to share this joy with you! Allow my heart light and heart song to illuminate your day, shower peace and healing into your life and remain with you. Thank you all for reading and for being my sweet friends!

Shine On!

xo

Grateful For Birthday Love

MAY THE BEST

OF YOUR PAST BE THE

WORST OF YOUR

FUTURE

Today’s my birthday and, although the weekend has been busy, it’s been lovely.  I’m so grateful for the love that friends and family have been showing me, especially on my special day!

I’ve always been someone who adores her birthday because to me, each birthday is special!  It means I’ve made it through another year and I look forward with excitement and anticipation for what the coming year will bring.  I blow out the many candles with joy for the life I’ve been given and the life I have made, albeit with hard times, struggles and sadness, but coupled with love, light and gratitude!

I may not know where I’m going or what may come my way in the future, but I do know where I’ve been, what I’ve overcome and how strong I am.  My faith in a life filled with love cradles me as the year ahead opens to possibility.

I don’t shy away from owning the years I’ve spent on this earth for each one has led me to the next, with a plethora of life lessons along the way.  While some I could have sincerely done without, I am grateful for each of them for they changed me in ways that I have come to gratefully see as strengthening me.

I love deeply because of them, although as a Pisces, innately loving from my whole heart is how I’m built.  Often I have felt the pain from love, but I wouldn’t change me.

I am who I am without apology, but instead with gratitude.

I think that’s what growing older is all about in the end.  This aging process isn’t for sissies.  That’s for sure.  But there’s a momentous glee in looking back to see from whence we came and in looking forward to all the future blessings in store for us!  Being in this precious present moment with the kaleidoscope of love surrounding me, my heart is filled to overflowing.  I just feel so blessed!

So today, I’m sharing my virtual birthday cake with you dear blogging family!  You’ve been on this life journey with me for many years and I’m ever grateful for your loving support, kindness and encouragement along the way!

May all of our wishes be fulfilled!  Keep shining your heartlights!

Shine On!

xo

November First Rabbit Rabbit

Today’s a special day, the first of November which if you know me, you know we say Rabbit Rabbit, White Rabbit, White Rabbit!  But it’s also All Saints Day for those who are Catholic.

Even though my Dad passed away years ago, today would have been his birthday and I can’t help but think of him today as he comes to mind often in unusual ways.  In fact, I’m grateful as friends of his have reached out to me today to let me know they are thinking of him too.  I got the card below which touched my heart and I think goes well with the faith part of today.

May the sweet card above inspire you, increase your faith and help you to find joy in the month ahead.  What a beautiful quote from Mary Alice Michaels!

Shine On!

xo

Night Bunny

It’s All Saint’s Day today, along with the famous first of the month, Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit, White Rabbit.  You knew I would remind you, didn’t you?  Quickly, say it if you haven’t already!

It’s also my Dad’s unbirthday (I just made that word up).  Unbirthday because he passed away five years ago, but in my mind, as soon as I hear it’s November 1st, I think of him.  Habit, reflex, nostalgia, and being connected with him even years after his passing makes it a significant day on the calendar for me.  I couldn’t help myself as tears welled up in my eyes this morning thinking of him.  Do you think of loved ones on their unbirthdays even though they have already passed away?

I know the veil is thinner at this time and I am praying for a sign from him.  I don’t know why.  Maybe I want validation that he hears me or that he approves of what I’ve done since he’s been gone.  I guess we never really release that approval piece from a parent or at least I haven’t.  Sad to say I guess, but true.  I want him to be proud of me.  I want him to know that I am trying my best under extraordinary strain at times.  I want him to hug me today even though I know he can’t physically.  I want a sign from him.  Even though I am middle-aged, I think sometimes I feel like a little girl.  Does that make sense?  Do you sometimes feel that way or is it just me?

It’s funny how once you’re middle-aged, we begin to parent our own parents too.  We take care of them as they grow older and are less able to take care of themselves.  I see it all the time with my friends whose parents are still here.  Nobody actually prepares us for the ‘sandwich generation’ piece of life.  We just somehow muddle through it with help from friends and people who have experienced it before us.

But that’s our job.  As the generations before us have done for centuries, we take care of the elder generations.  Parents, family members and such, we are their caretakers as they grow older.  Hopefully we do it with grace and dignity so that we are good role models to our own children, and the younger generations so that they can take care of us as well.

Oh what a tangent I’ve gone off on today.  I’m sorry.  My fingers have just been talking on the keyboard while my cheeks remain tear-stained.

But the other night, I went outside to look at the stars and my little bunny Clover hopped by.  He stayed with me for about 20 minutes before I went back in the house.  He even posed for me sweetly as he is wont to do.  You can see his eyes twinkle in the light of the flash.  He sat nearby and just ate the clover in the grass while I talked with him, pouring my heart out to him.  Isn’t it lovely that we have wildlife who care to listen?

Shine On!

xo

 

How Do You Remember The Birthday Of A Loved One Who’s Passed Away?

This past week, two of my loved ones who have passed had their birthdays.  In a quiet moment, even though I suppose that after one has passed away, birthdays aren’t celebrated, I took a few moments to remember them and their kindnesses to me.

But it brings up the question, What do you do on the birthday of a loved one who has passed away?  Do you think of them?  Do you say a prayer for them?  Do you talk with them?  Do you feel anything from them when you do?

I often wonder if after we have passed away if we look down (because this is how I imagine it) and see if anyone thinks of us?  Do we have the ability after we’ve died to communicate with loved ones who are still living?  Would we feel that tug to let them know we are ok and that we’re here in spirit?  Would we still care about those still living?

I know people have had experiences with psychics as I have as well.  I have had experiences that are not explainable and I feel like they could be signs from above or from deceased loved ones.  I have had messages given to me that were spot on from a medium whom I met on a whim.  So I do believe there’s communication between the living and the dead.

I did say prayers and talked with each of them on their birthdays.  Maybe it’s my imagination, but I felt that they knew how much I loved and appreciated them.  At least that’s what I’m hoping for I felt a sweet peace in my heart afterwards.

I know for me, if there’s any way I could reach through the veil after I pass and let my loved ones know that I’m still here, still loving them and sending all the blessings my heart could give to them, I most definitely would – especially when they were thinking about me.

What about you?  Do you have any stories to share?  Please do!

Shine On!

xo

I looked back and I’ve written about this before in my blog a few times.  In case you’re wondering…here are a few of my past posts. xo

Papa can you hear me?

Orb of Light and Flickering Electricity

Life After Death

Have You Ever Had Signs From Loved Ones?

 

88

Happy Birthday Auntie M!

Eighty-Eight Years Young!

Turning 88 years old is a milestone.  Born in 1928, my Auntie M is celebrating her birthday today and unfortunately, I can’t be there to see her.  However, I was able to talk with her on the phone and sing the customary Happy Birthday To YOU song to which she giggled.  It’s lovely when someone with dementia laughs and understands.  It’s a pure gift to the loved ones who surround her.

Life here on Earth can be fleeting, gone with the blink of an eye as we’ve experienced through various tragedies.  So to celebrate a loved one’s birthday is special.  My heart is saddened that I am so far away from her today, for even though she might not remember later that I was there, in the moment, she knew that I was not, but that I was connecting with her via telephone and singing off-key, her special song.  Her, “I love you,” to me was special and her gratitude for my remembering her birthday gladdened my heart.  But truly, how could I not remember her special day?

But, isn’t that what life is all about?  Connecting with others, feeling the shared love that runs through our souls even for a few fleeting moments of clarity in the mind of someone with memory issues?  I treasure the connection we made today.  I love to hear her laugh as she can’t believe her actual age!  I think of how, when I reach 88, I will probably feel the same way.

So today’s post is dedicated to my Auntie M who has shown her loving light and caring soul to all!  Today I celebrate her spirit of kindness, of caring, of love and connections.  She helps me to remember to enjoy the present moment and she is a great role model of doing just that!

She’ll be enjoying her favorite chocolate ice cream cake this afternoon with her sister and friends today.  I will have to go out to get a cup of ice cream myself to toast a life well-loved!

Shine On!

xo

 

 

 

Best Laid Plans…Turn to Gratitude

The best laid schemes of mice and (wo)men

Well, it was bound to happen one day.  My birthday plans went awry yesterday as I got sick the night before and was sick all day on my birthday.  That’s why nobody heard from me ~ why I never even turned on my computer.  As Robert Burns reminded us back in 1786, the most carefully prepared plans may go wrong.*

But in going wrong, I was given a gift that I didn’t ask for, didn’t think I needed and for which I am now grateful.  I was given a day of rest, of healing and of gratitude.  By being forced to spend the day alone, I had plenty of time to reflect on life and count my blessings.  Sure, I count my blessings everyday, don’t you?  But I mean really count my blessings, count the blessings for the little things that we take for granted (like being able to eat), for a warm, loving home and for friends and family who care.

I won’t lie, at first I was lamenting my lack of birthday festivities, but then, when I allowed my life to flow and to unfold as it wanted, I came upon a knowing, a feeling of presence which was a present to me.  I relaxed into the day, taking the time to heal myself (which only time could help as the virus had to run its course) and acknowledging that I had to once again, give up control, let go, allow God/Universe/Spirit to guide me.

It wasn’t easy.  I had plans you know for my special day.  But now I guess my birthday will have to be celebrated on another day this week, or maybe I can eek out a little bit of birthday mirth everyday!  Oh! What an idea ~ what if I spent 10 minutes a day in birthday gratitude for the next year!  What if we celebrated our birthdays all year long!  Imagine, celebrating your life and having everyone else celebrating YOU everyday ~ and YOU celebrating everyone else everyday!

Now how’s that for a great Holiday?

My heartfelt gratitude to all of you for being here with me ~ I celebrate YOU!

Shine On!

xo

*Origin: From Robert Burns’ poem To a Mouse, 1786. It tells of how he, while ploughing a field, upturned a mouse’s nest. The resulting poem is an apology to the mouse:

…
But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane [you aren’t alone]
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry]
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promised joy.

A Bit of Birthday Eve Celebration

St Patrick’s Day

A day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic! -Adrienne Cook

So it’s gently snowing here ~ and I’m probably the only Jersey Gal who awoke before dawn, raced to the window to do a snow dance!  Woo Hoo!!!  I love SNOW!  I do, I just do.  It makes me so happy to look outside and to watch it gently fall to the earth!  I could watch snow fall all day long.  It makes me smile so big in my heart that my whole body tingles.  I don’t know why it is, but it happens every time.  I am always the one who goes out the door first when it’s snowed.  I love the quiet in the neighborhood, the hushed tones of the snow falling on the trees.  It’s breath-taking to me.  Long before hubby was ready to go to work, I had already cleaned off his car (we had about 3 inches ~ so far ~ it’s STILL snowing!) and my own with childlike gleeful abandon!

I know, you must think me crazy.  I don’t care quite frankly.  It’s also a great gift today to have snow because….it’s St. Patrick’s Day AND….it’s my Birthday Eve!  Woo Hoo!  If you know me in real life, you know that I adore my birthday.  I always have, but now it’s even more of a holiday in our home because I celebrate the fact that I am here, that I made it through another year!  It’s hard for hubby since he only gets his day and maybe the next 2 to celebrate his birthday because as soon as it’s BIRTHDAY EVE, I’m a cuckoo happy girl!  Just the thought of my birthday sends me into a tailspin of joy!

Lucky for me, my family rolls with it, or better said, they quietly roll their eyes at my antics.  But I don’t care!  It gives me such huge pleasure to celebrate my birthday.  I even tell complete strangers on my special day!  I think we all should delight in our birthdays.  After all, it is our special day!

So in honor of my Birthday Eve, I changed Julie Andrew’s song a bit, but I will leave you with her singing the right words (but check out my improved lyrics!) giggle giggle.

Pretty pink roses and cuddles with kitten
Bright rainbow skies and my blog has been written
Colorful packages all named for me
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream in my coffee on my birthday morning
Family is smiling and my heart is soaring
Blessings abound, I’m so blessed to be me.
These are a few of my favorite things

Good health is ours as is lottery cashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the tests come
When the smile fades
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And to all my blessings add!

Shine On!

xo

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Yesterday was my hubby’s birthday.  I baked his favorite cake ~ well, Duncan Hines helped a bit!  Then we topped it with his favorite icing which is cool whip light mixed with Nestle’s Quik powder, baked in a bundt pan.  It’s his tradition that he’s loved for years and even though I’m not a fan of cooking daily dinners, I do enjoy baking his cake every year.

Instead of buying him a present, this year I simply wrote a toast to him ~ please indulge me today as he’s been my rock for years and hopefully for years to come!

Dear Hubby,

May you realize how much you are loved by your family.

May you look around at the blessings in your life and feel gratitude for your choices.

May possibilities abound in your life and may success continue to sparkle in your every endeavor.

May you find peace in your heart.

May your lifetime be filled with health, wealth and happiness.

May joy in all that you do increase a thousandfold.

May you always remember this joyous moment as we celebrate you ~ you are loved ~ you have made me so very happy to be your wife and the mother of our perfect sons.

You are a blessing as a husband and as a father.

We are proud of you.  Thank you for all that you have worked so very hard to provide us with ~ we are grateful for all of the sacrifices and hard work you have continued to put forth in all that you do.  You are a great role model to our boys, your coaching both on and off the fields and your special brand of knowledge in all things (it’s why I call you my Renaissance man) is second to none.

You are appreciated.  You are loved.  Every single day.  Thanks for being you!

Shine On!

xo

Lion Roars a Confession

I am only 5’2″ tall, but in my heart, I am a lion ~ a lion who roars mightily but only occasionally aloud.  For you see, I identify with the mightiness of the lion and being a March baby, it’s understandable.  You know the adage, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.”  Well, today’s forecast for snow on my birthday, allows my inner lion to raise her soft-maned face to the skies and be thankful, with a roar that rattles the windows for even nature is getting in on my celebration!

Because it’s my birthday ~ one of the most special days of the year for me.

I’m not pompous, thinking that all should bow down to me on my day.  Instead it is I, who bends her lioness head in gratitude for all of the blessings both big and small and the coincidences which albeit tiny, matter magnificently.  For you see, there have been times when I wondered in my soul, if I would make it through to the following year’s birthday and thus the magnitude of being here to greet this day every year, has forged a path for me.

When I turned 40, I don’t think there was a person alive who didn’t know it.  Unlike many of my friends, I didn’t keep turning 40 a secret, I shouted from the rooftops that it was my birthday because I was so happy that I’d made it!  Now, my world-wide birthday happiness is just because I am so grateful for each and everyday ~  So blessed that I am here to feel the love that surrounds me, to count each and every blessing which has been gifted to me, to enjoy The Presents of Presence in every moment of the days of my life.

So please indulge me in my day ~ I believe that we should see the specialness in everyday and celebrate our lives in the same manner that we treat birthdays!

To honor the unique celebrity that is you ~ please join me in my birthday celebration today!

Be a part of Celebrate Our Blessings Day with me!

Roar Aloud in Gratitude and Shine On!

xo