The BIG 60 and Other Blessings

As I sit here the day before my 60th birthday, I’m thankful. I am blessed. It dawned on me the other day that I am living days that some will never see.

Let me explain. I ran across a picture of my Aunt Peggy the other day. Peg was one of my favorite people ever. She was more than my aunt. She was my friend. We did a lot together. That’s a story for another day. Anyway, I was thinking about her and it hit me…like a gut punch. I am literally living days that Peg didn’t get to. Peg passed away 25 days before her 60th birthday. I sat with that for a bit. It was hard. I had a few tears thinking back to May 1, 2004. But then, the realization of what a blessing it is to be here and to be turning 60!

It is a blessing to be living in our new house and making it a home. It is a blessing to be a tenth of a mile through the woods from Poppa. It is a blessing to be surrounded by all these gorgeous trees with their changing leaves. It is a blessing to be able to volunteer in our community. It is a blessings to be able to go to the Y. It is a blessing to be alive. That’s the thought that got me.

I am blessed to still be here. I am blessed to be the oldest of my immediate family. I am now the keeper of the family history. What a blessing.

When I mentioned turning 60 to someone the other day, she replied with, “I’m so sorry!” I told her don’t be. I’m blessed to see it! She looked at me like I was crazy…she just turned 80 on Friday.

To be honest, birthdays have only bothered me if the ended in a 5 or a 0, starting a 30. But this one, isn’t bothering me. I’m thankful for it. And I’ll continue to be thankful for each one that follows because I will be living something others have not been blessed with…LIFE!

The next time your birthday rolls around, stop and look around at all your blessings. Be thankful for each and every day of each and every single year! You are living something someone else can’t.

Peace to you and yours!

lp