Celebrating Life...

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.
 Live your life so that when you die,
 the world cries and you rejoice.
Cherokee Proverb


Four-score and nine years ago, on a snowy January I entered the world.
While my creative spark and quirky sense of humor
has always made me stand out 
among those who conform to "what the world expects",
I have had an exceptional life.
I have traveled a bit,
lived deeply,
had some adventure,
laughed hard and loud
and
finally
have learned that
"what you do"
does not equate to "who I am."
This has been a huge learning in my life,
I am so much more than what I do.
On today,
I celebrate
me
in all my weird ways.
I took the day off,
Big Daddy did too.
Off Color daughter had a stomach bug or so she said
and
Off Color son had something. or so he said
So the entire "off color" family has spent the day in bed--not together. 
Big Daddy and I watched a movie and fell asleep, both of us--old age is catching up.
Off Color daughter surprised me with 
a hiking water pack--one I have wanted forever but been too cheap to buy.
The boys got me a new telephoto lens--quite the impressive feat in itself--that they go the right one.
Off color son, wrote me a sweet note that hit my heart just the right way.
In a bit, we will head out to a Mexican restaurant of my choice--I thought about pizza--and still find myself wavering---but Mexican it is-----"so it's my birthday...it's my birthday.....Happy birthday to me."


Today,
I celebrate
all the friends who have sent me well wishes--
the phone calls from family,
the text messages
and
the deep love 
I am surrounded by.


I am blessed
truly blessed
and
having accepted my off color skin finally---
well---I am comfortable with who I am these days---
love me or leave me.
Life has slowed a bit for me
although I am in the best shape of my life,
I enjoy the calm and peace of home,
long naps with Big Daddy,
a warm cup of coffee and tea on the couch,
a good read or a great piece of art and time spent with the off color kids.
I like myself,
love myself,
and
today
just for today
I celebrate
who I am.


I saw a t-shirt that cracked me up today....
it said
"Be nice to your children, one day they will choose your nursing home."
it is becoming more truer every day...
I do love my off color children---so don't forget how nice I've been in a few year.


On to dinner with the off color family---always an adventure.
thankful today
that I am 
ME!