Today's My Birthday!

Today is my birthday. I'm forty seven. This morning as I sat in reflection of my life (birthdays have a way of doing that don't they) I was overcome with a sense of gratitude.

Sitting in my living room with a warm cup of coffee, I looked around. The colors and textures giving my space a sense of me ....what I like, where I like it, and happy that it feels like home. I created the space just the way I like it. What a blessing I thought ...to feel at home in my home.

As I settled in to one of my favorite chairs I read a short piece from an inspirational book nearby. My mind soon wandered back in time. Suddenly, I was overcome with a warming sensation rising up from deep within me ...soon, it was all around me ...pulsating, vibrating, glowing ...engulfing me with its flame. On an in breath, I instantly knew what it was as it penetrated to the depths of my heart, my soul. I was feeling all the love from all the people in my life. So many faces appeared in my mind's eye. My thoughts reminding me how one way or another each and every one of these people have molded me, colored me, shaped me. Some through pain and suffering and others through gentle kindness. But each have played a significant role in my life.

From childhood friends, classmates, teachers, and distant cousins, who I am grateful to have reconnected with through the gift of social media, to those dear ones on the other side who continue to nurture me; their soul and my soul celebrating each one's highest good. To those who have pushed me beyond my limits ...only to find that I am limitless. I cherish everyone who has ever crossed paths with me, for whatever reason, in whatever way. And I so treasure my life in the here and now—the blessing of family, close friends, and community.

I am blessed beyond measure and I thank God for reminding me of you ...especially today. I am given the gift of knowing you at various times in my life ...and now for the rest of my life. All I have to do is sit in the stillness and there you are. So on this day, my day, I celebrate you ...because in celebrating you, I celebrate me.

Peace to all,
Ruth