Birthdays

I've always enjoyed my birthday...parties with family and friends, fun mail, cake and presents. As I've gotten older, though, the magic of birthdays has faded a bit. It doesn't always seem so exciting to turn another year older. The milestones aren't quite what they used to be...getting to drive, or drink, or even rent a car.

This year, though, I appreciate my birthday a little more. Yes, I'm another year older, perhaps a little wiser. But I know so many people who aren't celebrating birthdays this year. There are families holding memorials instead of parties. And so I'm grateful to be celebrating another year, enjoying time with family, and loving the wishes from friends and family near and far. This past year hasn't been quite what I expected (not even close!) and this birthday celebration wasn't what I pictured a year ago. But, this birthday brings the start of another year...and who knows how I'll be celebrating my next one!

Today I'm grateful for another year on earth, for my family and friends, my fur-babies and my angel babies. And I'm grateful for memories...like this picture of Henry from my birthday last year...he wasn't so impressed with the celebration!