congratulations on another year of you

With all this broken leg business, my mom's birthday came and went without too much attention. Sorry mom! That should not be. You deserve so much more - for the life you live and for the person you are. So let me share with you the words of a book someone shared with me on my birthday.

Congrats on Another Year of You

If someone asked you today, "how was your year?"...What would you tell them?

Would you say..."busy" or "pretty good" or "not my best..." or "fabulous" or something else??? Remember, as "cliched" as it sounds, life is lived in the everyday-ness. No matter how you'd sum up your year - you are to be congratulated, celebrated, cherished...for participating in and graduating from another year of life. And doing it in a way only you can do. So...think about it again. "How was your year?" Did you make someone smile or laugh out loud? Did you keep laughing...long after it was funny? Did you share good conversation? Gain a new insight? Decide to do something? Decide never to do that again? Did you give a compliment that made someone's day? Did you receive one that made yours? Did you experience the boost of "I'm so glad to see you" hug? How many times did you say the words, "I love you" or hear them from someone else? Did you experience the strength (and sometimes complete frustration) of your emotions...from mad, sad, tired to happy, excited, silly? All in one day? One hour? Did you smell the scent of a spring morning...or feel the chill of a crisp night? Did you get to feel the wind in your face while riding a bike? Zipping along on in-line skates? Walking? Running? Pushing a child on a swing? Or just sitting and being? Did you help someone? Receive kindness? Feel special? Feel proud of yourself? Did you exercise your body and give thanks that all your parts worked pretty well? Were you able to savor your absolute favorite meal or dessert? Did you experience the delight of serving others? Or the gift of being served? Did you share your abundance with others? Did someone share theirs with you? Did you accomplish something that felt pretty daunting at first...and then celebrate that you are stronger than you thought?

Congratulations on living life for another 365 days. On discovering yourself, paying your own way, getting your car serviced, your teeth cleaned, your laundry done. Congratulations on being one year wiser. On knowing something new. On having opininos and sticking to them. On enduring, surviving, coasting, enjoying, holding on and letting go.

Congratultions on another year of you!

*By Marianne Richmond

Love you mom! Happy Late Birthday!