Yesterday, October 6th, was my birthday.
(By the way, here’s a hearty thanks to all who stopped by and wished me a happy day!)
I have always paused to reflect on my life, my blessings, my goals (accomplished, or not!), my future, and my “present” on my birthday.
This year was no exception. Except that I truly realized yesterday that I am getting older. Sure, my posture is still pretty good.
Yes, my mind is somewhat alert. And oh yeah, I can still walk fairly fast, ride a bicycle a few miles, and even swim 50 laps.
But the “older” part comes with the sense of simple addition. OK. I am 55. In 10 years I will be 65. In 20 years I will be 75. Get the picture?
Then the other addition. Like, “When Benjamin is 20, I will be 75.”
Wait a minute. When my littlest grandson is a sophomore in college, I will be 75? What!?
And I am sure that there are more grandkids to come. So… I will be 110 when the babies-to-be are getting married and having children of their own?
I guess so.
This, folks, is mortality.
But within this word “mortality,” there is a lot of living to do. And I think of that English proverb: “The fall of a leaf is a whisper to the living.”
And this brings my thoughts back to life. Living.
Nature.
And angels.
Just as the fall of a leaf whispers to us about seasons and wind and freedom and change, it also speaks of angels and blessings and wisdom and simplicity.
One of my angels is my cousin Cathy, a beautiful and courageous woman, mother, and friend who lost her life to breast cancer in 2004. Cathy was born on October 30th, 1959.
And as I ponder my birthday, my life and my age, I hear Cathy whispering to me to take care of myself. To get my annual mammogram. To honor all women during this special month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by encouraging all of our family members, friends and loved ones to take the time to listen to the whispers of the leaves falling.
To listen to our angels.
To grab the very essence of life. Every day. Every moment.
So age? It really is nothing but a number. A number that must be met with great enthusiasm just to have had the good fortune and opportunity to shake its hand.
Hello 55. Happy to meet you!
Thanks Cathy. I love you.
– Sharon
You embrace life in such a beautiful way!
Happy day to you!!
55 looks awfully darn good! Happy Birthday! I’m glad the number isn’t important to you…it is obvious to all who read your blog that your life is overflowing with good stuff and so is your spirit!
I wrote on Janes post…so I figured I could come on over here and tell you…HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mine was Friday…it started good…..
I’ll just leave it at that! (:-D) Do you find yourself sick every year on your birthday or is it just me? ugh! Well enough about me, 55 is not even anywhere near old. You are such a hot grandma! I’m in my twenties and I can’t even swim 5 laps! 🙂
SOOO once again…..Happpy Birthday Cha Cha Cha~
Happy Birthday to you. You look fabulous. I wish I could look this good now and I’m younger.
You three ladies are all fabulous…come by for your award.
What a beautiful post! You look great, and write amazing. My mom turned 55 this year and is my bestest friend in the world. I love reading about the relationship you have with your daughters, because it reminds me of my mom! Happy birth month to you!
`Arianne
Happy Birthday!!!!
You look fantastic! and I diddo everything that Cathy is whispering 🙂
I wanna look like you when I’m 55! Happy birthday
you look amazing. 55 sure looks good on you.
so are we celebrating your birthday, birthweek, month today? 🙂
I’m just trying to keep up. i love the way you look at life. you are an inspiration.
i’m freaking out that i’m approaching 40.
Sharon…this is a great post. My Mum’s birthday is the 25th of this month and she’s going through chemo for breast cancer. Hopefully this is just to make sure they’ve got everything out, but your post made me think of how this birthday might feel for her.
Thanks for the reflection!
Happy belated birthday to one of the coolest grandmas I “know”! Hope it was great, just like you!
Happy Birthday to you. I am also crazed about closing in on 40–next year–and my twins are only 17 months right now. Happy B-day! Celebrate life!
This was beautiful! Happy Birthday! I just turned 40 and need to schedule my mammogram. Thanks for the reminder!
Wish you more success in life.God Bless
What a great post! (and happy birthday, by the way!)
You are such a young, hip grandma, I’m sure you’ll be chasing your great-grandkids around.
Happy birthday sharon!!!
we are just one day apart. Mine is on 5th october.
You look young on 55. Ilove this post.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday!! You look amazing. You make me feel wimpy about my 40th birthday stress!