Dear Reader:

Jakie’s and my birthday is drawing nearer. Having given the candle situation some serious consideration, I have decided in the best interests of all cake lovers…we should go with Jakie’s birthday age for candle coverage. Besides not having to call the fire department…I am afraid the cake might be soggy from all the blowing efforts on my part… if even half the candles were lit.

I love that Jakie came on my birthday three years ago. He was due to come the first week in October but he decided to give Boo Boo his first birthday gift early….him. So forever we will be connected with sharing birthdays on the 24th of September.

We have gotten in the habit of having a birthday brunch for Jakie, me, with all the family and craziness as only a three year old (this year) can have….then later some of go out for dinner with just the adults…where we can converse while hearing each other.

I love seeing the pictures year by year…showing Jakie growing up and me growing…well…older…and extremely happy for it! Last year:

The other day I came across a poem on aging that I loved…here are just a few stanzas from it…

As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend..

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody’s beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don’t question myself anymore..
I’ve even earned the right to be wrong.

………….

Three candles…or more…I love that my little grandson decided to pick my birthday, out of all the 365 days he could have picked, to arrive on. What a lucky grandmother I am. It’s time to dance.

So until tomorrow…Jakie and I will start counting down the days together and always have these special moments bonded together in spirit…always young at heart!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh