I'm one of those odd ducks who finds happiness in birthdays. I look back over my life, and that of my family, and I'm just thankful the Lord has blessed me with another year of life so I CELEBRATE. I adore birthdays, and I do my best to make them special for people because they are the only days that are just about them.
The last year or two created adversity for everyone, and our family did not escape the reality of Covid, death, disease, or anything else that came our way. Pain and suffering are part of life, and it stinks-truly. It would be easy to build up a wall in an effort to keep it out; however, that same wall keeps out the good things as well. That's just not the plan God has for any of us. He uses it all for His glory and our good. We've seen that so many times in our family, and I'm thankful for those blessings.
A long time ago I made a rule to do something from my bucket list, visit somewhere new, and try something different every year. It was a great rule, and it has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I highly recommend it. One item on my bucket list is to hit all 50 states by the time I'm 60. I'm working on that list a lot this summer. In the process, I'm spending time with my people and getting together with those I haven't seen in a while. Life is too short to waste time or to have regrets. I have never regretted the things I have done quite like those I've been afraid to try-whether it's the fear of failure, of not having enough money, or doing something uncomfortable.
So far, I have visited with my college peeps and sang my heart out as we relived old times, picked strawberries with the grandkids, swam and played in the lake with them, let the kids paint all over the walls in the house so I'd be forced to repaint it, redocorated (and again), taken care of my mama when she was sick, played with the dogs a lot, and drove to Minnesota to see my first baby get married to the love of his life and meet tons of new friends there. While there I got to party it up at such a fun wedding, visit St. Paul, and spend extra time with one of my favorite people. I stopped at the Field of Dreams in Iowa and "ran across" to Indianapolis to meet up with my girl, Lil Beth:), enjoying fabulous food, cool sites, and better company.
I tell you all of that because along the way I find so many people that tell me a hundred reasons why they can't do this or that. Yes, it can be difficult to make some things work; however, you do what you really want to do. The people in your life are worth it. The memories are irreplaceable. Expanding your circle of life is incredible. Life really is too short. I have known this for a long time, but this year has reminded me again. Don't put it off. Make it count.
