Thursday was my birthday. As many like to phrase it, I marked “taking another year around the sun”. I love celebrating my birthday. Yep. I count my cards, I eat treats all day long, I relish the emails and phone calls that come my way, and I always hope there will be balloons and flowers. And this year, as in other years, there were all those things. I was spoiled from morning till night. And I loved it!
A couple of months ago I was shopping in a second-hand store. I found many great bargains. As I was checking out, so delighted with my purchases, my joy was magnified when the clerk asked, “Are you 55 or better?” Did you catch that? Not, “How old are you?” Not, “Are you a senior?” But, “Are you 55 or BETTER?” I immediately said, “I am BETTER.” And I have been using that turn of phrase ever since. Sure, I move slow when I get out of bed in the morning, Sure, my knees hurt when I try to cross them. Sure, sitting on the floor is more of a challenge then it used to be. But I maintain I am better – not older!
All this might seem trite given all that is going on in the world. I have the nightly news on as I type this post. The talk was first all about the police removal of the protestors in Ottawa. Now the reporter just said, “Europe is bracing for war”, as Russia continues its threatening behaviour at the Ukraine border. And in the afterglow of the Olympics, there continues to be discussion about the human rights abuses in China. How can I have the nerve to talk about celebrating a birthday? Well, yes, it might seem superficial but I, in my ‘better’ way of seeing the world, know that nothing I do will impact the Russians or the Chinese but connecting with friends and family will keep me focused on the simple pleasures of life. I can influence the world with bits of kindness in my small corner of the world. I can lighten the stress and the heaviness of the daily news by valuing the the gift of friendship and the treat of simple celebration. That’s what getting “better” means for me. It is defeating the overwhelming distress of world news by balancing it with gratitude for the grace and gift of each day.
I know that many of you read this blog and never comment. That is fine. But as I have adjusted to no longer working at the church I have had to change my contact info. If you would be so kind as to make a comment – even just a ‘Hi” will do – I can verify that all my contact info has shifted to my new email address. Thanks!
Buena noche👋🏽
This is a comment on the previous post….the challenge of moving items on. Well just before you shared your wisdom, I moved on a bathing suit that had stretched to have more length than this current body needed. Within 2 days I found out our long legged, tall swimming granddaughter would be spending some time with us. Now this is not a complaint as we have only seen her for one afternoon in the last 23 months. It is just to say that you are more than ‘better’, you are prescient. I should have know that as soon as I took it to a thrift store, I/ we would need it‼️However, if that is what created the opportunity to see her, I would do it again😉 and again❣️
Thanks for your comment Cheryl. And, yes, that it just the way it goes. What we keep becomes detritus and what we toss within days we need!! Glad you hear you are getting some granddaughter time.
I love each and every blog – and am also glad that you’ve celebrated another birthday! Hugs!
Always good to hear from you, my friend. Thanks for being a faithful reader. Hope to see you sometime in 2022!!
On gratitude, we often heard our father preach one of his most recycled sermons called “The Privilege of Living”. The chief quote was ‘life is never a burden so long as one is heartily aware of the privilege of living’.
Speaking of keeping in touch, you have my address, please share yours with me through a note. I just missed your birthday!
Hi Stan – lovely quote from your father. I like that – the privilege of living. Thanks for being a faithful reader.
Received with thanks. May blessings rain down upon your head. :- )
Ha ha – haven’t thought of that ‘blessing’ in a long time. Blessings do continue to rain down for me and I pray the same for you my friend.
I have recently discovered your blog and look forward to each new one as it is posted. 😀
Welcome Dianne – so delighted to have you join my little crowd of readers! Would love to get together sometime. Maybe this year will allow for me to take visit to your neighbourhood.
Hi Nancy! Your card is in the mail! 🤓🤓🤓
Ha ha – this wasn’t a plea for birthday cards … really, it wasn’t! Always good to hear from you my friend.
Whenever I would call my dad and ask how we he was, he would say, “Woke up on the right side of the grass this morning.” An old cliche, I know, BUT it did demonstrate to me that he valued every day, and he had a lot of them! Maybe not as many as I wanted, but certainly as many as he wanted. Thank you for this reminder that every day is indeed a blessing and something we should never take for granted!
Thank Leanne. Yes, I had a parishoner who always responded, when asked, “How are you?” “I have both feet on the ground”! Another who always said, when asked “Grateful”. Both good and positive replies.
Happy belated Birthday!!
So glad you are continuing this Blog. Your words of Wisdom are always appreciated.
Thanks Jill – hope you are keeping well.
I always love reading your blog and will certainly miss hearing you preach every Sunday thanks to technology.
Awww – thanks sis!
Hi Nancy, I love reading your blog and am so glad that you will continue with it. Very glad to hear that you had a super birthday with all the trimmings.
55 or Better? A great way to put it. Lots of us have been Better for a while!!
And I was thinking of you on February 17th – a special natal day. I am sure you were missing your dear Peter.
Nancy, I know you’re good at preparing and serving tasty nourishing food, and you also know how to offer good food for thought. Thanks for that and for 44 years of friendship!
It’s hard to believe that number – 44 years! But a wonderful friendship it is. Keep well, my friend.
Your ability to look at life on a positive note without sarcasm, as I would do, is always refreshing and uplifting for me. Thanks😊