Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Take your time...

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Yesterday was my birthday. I am getting old(er) rather quickly. Many of my fellow 40-somethings tend to dread each birthday. I, on the other hand, welcome each year with relish, with excitement, with pure joy. I am alive. I have made it another year. Yes, it is cliché. I can do that. I've earned the right.

I don’t normally think about the cancer I beat less than two years ago. I forget about it. It is behind me, but it is a reason to be thankful for life. This year, as I face the possibility again, I do so with positive thoughts, a strong will and mostly laughter.

Life is too short to fear the unknown. Life is far too brief to worry about the “what ifs.” Life if filled with too many surprises. To celebrate my birthday, I would like for each person who reads this to list one of life’s small surprises that graced their day today. Take the time to notice the little things, and share them with your friends.

dena at 9:24 AM

13comments

13 Comments

at 10:16 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Your attitude about age and illness is a lovely thing to behold. I wish I had time to talk to you at length about it. Maybe some day.

Instead, I present you with a surprise from yesterday, since today hasn’t quite had time to show me what it's got yet. During a short break at a training at corporate headquarters, I went on a walk in the parking lot, was drawn to a picnic table under a tree, and when I was standing on this, noticed a little path into the woods. On following the path I was amazed at its beauty- a secret little gem in a suburban office park. At the end of the training, heading home to the car, I said to my coworker, a woman who I do not know well, “I really just have to show you this little forest I found, you seem like someone who will appreciate it.” She was surprised but agreed, and we had a serious conversation about religion, art, beauty and happiness. I do intend to write at length about this at some point, since the conversation as well as the setting really sent my wheels turning, but my goodness, I am behind on my blogging.

 
at 11:38 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday Dena! No surprise really but having the simple pleasure of actually having breakfast together this morning....nice and peaceful with all the cats and our old dog Lilly lying at the window. I try to remind myself to remember every detail because I've seen too many people, elderly especially, grasping trying to hold on to a memory. I may not be the one looking back but if I am I want to keep everything as vivid and clear as possible.

 
at 12:05 PM Blogger Marisa said...

Happy Birthday, Dena!

I have always loved birthdays; my last one this past July was an especially good one...just because I was around for another one.

My surprise today...it has yet to happen. But I am sure that it will, because there are so many to come every day...and for this I am grateful. ;-)

 
at 1:09 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I met Amy and Ben on Main Street for Barney Burgers at Barney's. Ben saw the gum machine, the one where you get about thirty pieces of gum for a quarter. He got down, walked to it letting us know he wanted caaaanndy. He opened the flap and I said "see, no candy and no money." He jiggled the handle, then opened the flap again and surprise... a single piece of gum. Made his day, both the candy and getting to show his dad how that sometimes the world does work just like a two year old thinks it should.

Happy Birthday!

 
at 1:20 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

happy birthday. my oldest daughter overcame a very serious illness when she was just 2 and since that happened (19 years ago) i find i look at life alot differently, appreciate so much more. i think keeping a postitive frame of mind is very important, you sure seem to have that happening in your life, so here's to many many more birthdays. i guess my surprise was seeing your blog today, it was very uplifting!

 
at 3:57 PM Blogger Your Mother said...

Happy (late) birthday! Today, the small thing that stopped us all in our tracks as we stood around the copier bitching and moaning was a little squirrel who jumped up onto the window seal to eat his food. We have tinted glass so he couldn't see us. We were right next to the window. I could see his little feet and tiny teeth and his bit alert eyes. I wanted to hold and snuggle and kiss his cute little face off.

For some reason, that little guy gave me a happy feeling and I'm still in a good mood. Ah, the simple things!

 
at 11:33 PM Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said...

First, reading what you had to say and about what you feel. Then, the photo you posted..beautiful beyond words!
Sometimes I look out my windows at the world that awaits, and looking at the sunset from my windows is so often totally awesome..this inspires me and makes me value the ability to see! Not a small thing, but, being able to see allows me to appreciate all that there is in nature! I'm deeply grateful for that.

 
at 11:39 PM Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said...

And egads!!!
I fogot to wish you THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY, EVER!
So sorry about that...I know it's belated but better belated than not at all! (lol)

 
at 5:28 AM Blogger Aginoth said...

Many Happy Returns Dena.

Todays happy surprise...my Line Manager isn't in work so I can slack a little today

 
at 7:52 AM Blogger MaR said...

Happy belated bday, Dena!!! your words are so true, I am thankful for all little (and large) things in life. Have a nice day.

 
at 9:35 AM Blogger soapbox.SUPERSTAR said...

Surprises of the week:

Free lunch for us at Bennigans
An ingrown hair on my inner thigh
The knowledge that my mom and daughter visit graves
How soft skin feels after rubbing with tree bark
The racial divide between Atlanta Bread Co. and Fazoli's
Forming a parent company for all out subsidiaries

 
at 1:03 PM Blogger Misti said...

Happy Birthday sweets.

 
at 11:20 AM Blogger markus said...

i had a friend who always told me getting older should be considered an enormous accomplishment. happy birthday!

 

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