New Beginning
These kids played happily for hours building a home and play area for a frog at Lake Tweet!
Tonight, I write. I’ve missed blogging the last couple of nights. I’ve been celebrating birthdays–mine and this blog’s–and the anniversary of my journal-writing. So I’m 34. I’ve been keeping a journal for 22 years and blogging for two. Pretty amazing. Actually, maybe pretty amazing that I’ve done anything else. Oh, but I have.
My actual birthday was rainy and a little frustrating. Some birthdays are spectacular; others are just days. But I got to spend some time with my momma shopping with only two children. That’s pretty rare… And I got my hair trimmed, and enjoyed time alone with my hubby and a movie that night.
Things got even better the next day when the sun returned and I woke up to hit some yard sales, again with only two kiddos. And then to a ballgame, where I battled boys for their patience and mine. And finally, to Lake Tweet for a shared birthday celebration with my good friend Michael, who is an amazing cook. Italian night at the campfire! With a bottle of red moscato and a beautiful, homemade birthday cake that reminded me of the birthday cakes of my youth and made me feel very special. (Thanks, Rita, you rock!) The friends and family were gift enough.
On Sunday, the kids found a frog in the creek. They played together in peace for hours as they built it a castle, a water slide, a bunk bed, a swingset and more. They personify summer, and I am a child of summer, too.
And so I begin a new year. I am so thankful. Birthdays are reminders of life. They give us a chance to take a hard look at where we are and where we want to be. Oh, and they make us remember just how old we’re getting and inspire us to speed up the realization of our dreams a bit.
I have to tell you: I’m pretty happy with where I am. I see at least one change I need to make, and I’m going to get right on that. And, in the process, I’m going to drink up this life. I’m going to inhale that morning air and marvel at just how richly green the hillsides are here in Ohio during these beautiful near-summer days. I’m going to remember that more stuff only means more worry and more responsibility.
I’m going to celebrate!
Heartfelt thanks to all of you who commented on the last post. I enjoyed hearing all of the ways in which you’ll thrive this summer! So go forth and thrive, and, if you learn something along the way, come back to share.
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You have such a wonderful outlook on life. It makes me want to be better and more thankful everytime I read your blog. YOU rock, Erin Jo!