MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays

There was a time when I would be

SO EXCITED

that my birthday was coming...

I couldn't wait!

so exciting.....

It wasn't so long ago....

now

when mid-February comes along

I become aware

that it will soon be here.

I have a sense of sadness

that another year

has already passed ...

and

increasingly

aware

that

those

years

do

not

go

on

FOREVER!

Not so exciting anymore.

But I am filled with

GRATITUDE

that

I

feel

GREAT

physically

and can still go climb a mountain, bicycle 50 miles,

practice intense yoga

really....

almost

ANYTHING

I put my mind to do.

GRATEFUL

that I have three healthy, competent, independent

and just fun-to-be-with

children

their spouses

and

SEVEN

GRANDCHILDREN

who all live nearby

GRATEFUL

for my loving brothers and sisters

and

mom and dad

GRATEFUL

for my dear and loyal friends

GRATEFUL

that I have work

and that it is meaningful work

GRATEFUL

that,

so far,

I have enough money

that I can live comfortably

(and haven't gone to the poorhouse yet)

(family joke)

I am even

GRATEFUL

for the sorrows that of course also come along in life

that have taught me

to be grateful.

I am filled with gratitude today

my

58th birthday!

AND

It's

not ALL about me...

because March is a BIG birthday month for our family.

My son was born 31 years ago today

so his birth

on

my

birthday

has added

a special dimension to birthdays

he

has

always

generously shared his birthday with me

:-) :-) :-)

and

one of my darling grand daughters was born

six

years

ago

on

March 2nd -

Dahlia Elizabeth

so

even

though

the years seem to fly by faster each year

March is a time

of celebration

:-) :-) :-)

a pre-birthday golf game

we shared the course with lots ducks

A very fun day spent on the golf course

with my three favorite

boys.

This cactus has been hit MANY times by golf balls

it just looked so majestic

These golf clubs are used by my son-in-law

they were my Dad's first set of golf clubs

that were purchased at a garage sale

about 25 years ago.

(When he gets new clubs he will be amazed the improvement in his game)

Jack came directly from work

still in uniform

It is a very pretty little golf course

Here is the birthday girl

at her birthday party...

What a CUTIE !!!!!

(enjoying another master piece

cake prepared by Aunt Sarah -

notice the camp site theme)

She wanted a "camping" theme

so her parents

set up a camp in the driveway

including

a pop-up camper

campfire

s'mores

What a GORGEOUS sunset!!!

as a special treat from nature

to be continued..............