Happy Birthday To Me!

To be yourself -
in a world which is doing its best, night and day,
to make you like everybody else
means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight,
and never stop fighting.
~E.E. Cummings



Tomorrow is my birthday.  My 53rd.  I am not a person that gets caught up worrying about age.  I appreciate every year.  I hope I have many more.  Every year brings on trials and tribulations but also new surprises and wonderful changes.
We celebrated my birthday tonight because the family was available for dinner tonight.  We went to Tru Stories house for my dinner.  This might be the first time we have done that on my birthday.  I do not want it to be the last.  First I will say dinner was so delicious, I am still stuffed.  Melt in our mouth, marinated steaks, delicious potatoes, and salad.  Ending with double chocolate brownies and my family singing.  Not much can beat all three of my grandkids singing to me.  After dinner we sat on the glider on the porch.  I love sitting on the glider.  I always feel the spirit of my father-in-law when I sit there.  It is a nice feeling.  We chatted, watched the kids play in the yard with their Uncle.  A calm, peaceful evening.  One of those fantastic "Circle of Life" moments. 
This afternoon I stopped at Walmart.  Tru Stories and her family were there.  Best feeling in the world when the girls saw me and came racing to me like it had been a week since we were together.  I do not know what I will do when those kids grow up and do not need a Grammy anymore!

Here are some of my hopes for the next year:

I hope my son has a good year and enjoys life.
I hope my daughter's world continues to be filled with love, good health, and much happiness.
I hope Hubby cuts his pony tail.  Seriously!  Are you kidding me with that!!!
I would like to become healthier, exercise more, and lose some weight.
I want my grandchildren to stay healthy and happy.  Maybe a little less dramatic would not hurt!

It was a good year.  Despite the ups and down, it was a good year.  I enjoy my family more and more.  I have a great time with the book club.  My friends become more dear to me.  I found this inspirational saying.  It really is the truth.  I think when we accept that life can be difficult, it is easier to overcome the tough times.

 

Life is difficult.
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths.
It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth,
we transend it.
Once we truly know that life is difficult -
once we truly understand and accept it -
then life is no longer difficult.
Because once it is accepted,
the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
~M Scott Peck

I know it will be a great day tomorrow.  I have been promised home made chocolate cake at the end of the day by my sister in law.  A two day birthday celebration, not bad!

I cannot believe that I talked about where my life is and did not mention:  I WENT TO OPRAH!!  I was breathing the same air as Oprah, Tom, and Julia.  I heard Julia do her wonderful Julia laugh, live.  What a good time!  In the ups and downs of life, that was a very up, up, up of life.