Today I’m celebrating 36 years alive on this Earth and I woke up thinking about Kate’s response in her kindergarten interview when I asked, “What’s the best thing about being 5 years old?” She answered, “…I’m just glad that I’m 5 years old. I’m glad for my age. I’m glad for any age.”
Oh the pride I felt hearing that response!
I have a sister who never saw her 30th birthday. She had her own sweet daughter who was only 5 years old when she passed away. I can’t celebrate a birthday without thinking of her and feeling so grateful for this privilege called aging.
I share a lot of pictures of my precious daughter, but today I’m going to share a pic of me and one of my sisters. This is my younger sister Brittny. She’s a music teacher in Savannah, Georgia and she was the first phone call I received today. I answered saying, “Good morning, sister!” but didn’t hear her reply. A moment later I heard a group of people singing “Happy Birthday” and realized it was her high school choir singing to me!
(I would have posted a picture of my face at that moment but I had mascara running down my cheeks, so instead I’ll share this photo of me and Brittny from a couple of weeks ago.)
A great big thank you to the Savannah High School Choir for such a wonderful birthday surprise! Thank you to my dear sister for always knowing how to put a smile on my face. And thank you God for giving me this day. I’m so grateful for my age and for this time with my family and for eyes that wrinkle when I smile (or cry).
Happy birthday! Hope it’s a great day and wonderful year! So many great things are a head. Wonderful picture with your sister! Love family posts!
Thank you so much, Ashley! It was a wonderful day and I am very excited about what 36 has in store for me. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!
Happy birthday! That’s a great picture of you and your sister!
Thank you so much, Katie! When we’re together we’re usually hanging out in our pjs or sweatpants, but it was nice to snag a pic while we were both dressed up. So glad we did!
Have a wonderful birthday, Dusty!! Age is just a number…we have so much to be grateful for, don’t we?
Thank you so much, Pam! Yes, SO MUCH to be grateful for. I was counting my blessings today and feeling like the luckiest 36 year old on the planet.
Happy birthday sweet Dusty! I love your daughters response, it is good to be any age, even 56 like me! Xxxooo have a great day!
Fifty-six is young, Diane! And I hope it’s treating you well. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!
Happy (belated) birthday! Seeing “36” not only reminds me that I’m 36 (“what?! when?! how?!”), but made me realize that I’ve been following your blog for 6 years (after YHL, or at the time TYH…you were my introduction to what a blog was and I’ve been a follower ever since!). I hope you’re proud of all that you’ve done so far in your 30s. When I read your posts, you seem like a real grown-up, yet a fun grown-up (does that make sense?) – I’m still trying to master both of those;) It’s easy to take life and age for granted, but you seem to have learned how to follow your heart and focus on possibilities, not problems. May this year be a great one for you and your family. Happy 36!
Alison! How did I miss this comment?! And you’re right – how the heck are we 36 already? I swear I still feel 22! (Or maybe it’s just that Kate and I jam out to Taylor Swift’s “22” song almost every morning on the way to school, haha.) Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and your touching comment. It’s such an honor to have longtime readers such as yourself following along this little journey of life with me. I remember your comments all throughout these years and they always make me smile. Thank you so much, Alison! (And happy belated birthday to you!)
Haha! Yep, I always think I’m still in my 20s too! Although I didn’t like wine until this decade, so I’m happy to be in my 30s! Thanks for always taking the time to reply to your commenters and for being such a friendly and genuine person on the blogosphere. (Do people even use that word anymore?)
I don’t know if they do, but I’ve never been one to care about the trends, so let me say thank YOU for being such an awesome part of the “blogosphere.”
<--yup. I still do old school smiley faces too.