Happy Birthday To Me

Just a random photo of Leah and I in Florida this spring.

I'm 45 today.

I've gotten so many lovely birthday wishes on facebook. :) It seems that the era of electronic messages is upon us with a new but fun way to send greetings to friends many miles away. In this busy day and age how very nice to be remembered by so many thoughtful people!

I confess I am partial to traditional greetings and I did receive lovely cards from my husband and children and a few very thoughtful gifts as well. One dear friend stopped by with her beautiful floral arrangements that she is known for. One has Lilies of the Valley and white lilacs and pink bleeding hearts. All favorites of mine. Their perfume is wafting about and my nose is in heaven!

Ever since my cancer diagnosis I have counted my birthdays as bonuses. This is my tenth bonus birthday. Ten years of loving, laughing, living! I'm so grateful for each and every year that I will never be sad about growing older. Never! I vividly remember begging God for these years and I am grateful for each and every one. Lest you think my life is all goodness and sweetness, I can assure you, it is not. Even on the bad days I remind myself that God granted the desire of my heart and His gift of life comes with both good and bad days. It gives me a different perspective and I'm thankful for it.

You don't need to have a cancer diagnosis to embrace the gift of life. Make each day count, they're all "bonuses" if you really think about it!

Around The Corner

Around The Corner

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.
And I never see my old friend's face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well,
As in the days when I rang his bell.
And he rang mine but we were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim
Just to show that I'm thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And the distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner, yet miles away,
"Here's a telegram sir, Jim died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end:
Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Josh Levi Labar


I remember reading this poem in an Ann Landers column a long time ago and being moved by its simple message: Make time for loved ones, family and friends. Carve out and appreciate time spent together.

So go ahead, call that friend you've neglected. Send a note to a family member or friend who lives many miles away. Take a moment and reach out. You'll be blessed in the process!