Friday, February 28, 2014

Just Another Day

The last day of February. The last day of a short month. The last day of a very cold and snowy month. A month of record breaking.  Today is sunny with a crystal blue sky.  The temps are -1de with a wind chill of 15 below zero.  A might chilly I guess.  When I was young I loved this day, this last day of February.  I learned how to spell this month's name early.   I looked forward to it all year...well all January and February!    I think the weather has played a part in how everyone is feeling lately. Work has been filled with drama and snipping at each other and frankly I decided at the last minute I would take today off and just let go for a bit. Take a breather.  I've looked back at my blog to the posts I put on over the past 6yrs on this day to see how things were going and how I felt, what I did, and what I actually posted about.  I realized that my sour attitude this week might jade my post of 2014, last day of February.  I don't want that to happen.  I know that it was a day that made my Mom smile. I know she'll call and ask me how I feel today.  I wouldn't want her to think I'm having trouble saying all is well.  It is actually well...I'm well...my family is too. Life is short.  Shorter for some than others. We should celebrate all the moments...good and bad. We should be grateful for them..and I am.  I think I need to make some changes and get my rear in gear and move on to bigger and better things. Well, maybe the same things, only with a brighter outlook! Last year on this day it was a milestone.  Now I feel like I'm on a staircase and not really sure if I'm taking the first step up or down.  Decades...10yrs....encompass many changes. Years 1-10 have significant changes...moves that go quickly....walking, talking...learning.  Years 10-20 are usually filled with emotion, growth, vast change in locations and milestones....on and on as the decades come we, and gajillions of others,  go through the steps of those decades.  I'm on the step of starting my 60's....61 today.  These next 10 years hold all kinds of possibilities and all kinds of challenges.  Growing older hasn't bothered me all that much in the past...well, except for that nano second when I turned 30 and panicked!  But getting toward those "golden" years makes me a bit dry mouthed.  I can say, "Well, 61 is the next 41"..blah, blah, blah.  It isn't...won't ever be. But I'm going to hope it's a good next 10yrs.  I've worked in health care since I was 18.  I get it..I understand what can be ahead.  The caution signs are out and I'm feeling like this first step of this next decade will be made with orthopedic shoes instead of stilettos.   I'm not the only one getting older.  It does happen if we're lucky.  But I can go forward and smile and realize that maybe it is "just another day"....sort of.  How about we all celebrate these "another days" with joy, hope and love.  With patience, understanding, faith, and humor.  And perhaps a giant piece of cake with some icecream on the side....Let's get moving!

17 comments:

gin said...

Happy 61 today!! That's awesome because I made the big 6-0 yesterday and am thankful I made it to this year in my life. And I'm going to make this a great year. I have my bday post ready just haven't posted it yet.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday Kathy: I read your post today and I have few comments. As far as which direction you are going on the steps it's both. Steps up are highlights to the day. Your birthday for example is a step up. A chance to watch a grandchild dance or play baseball on a sunny afternoon is a step up. Steps down: I'm older so I can see things at a slower pace than before and miss less and appreciate it more. I'm 6 years older than you so I can tell you I've learned to enjoy it. See when your my age you can pretend to need help and it's amazing how much people want to help an older person not to mention they no longer ask if you are eligible for the senior discount. In Florida I have a lot of competition at being an older person who is a little confused and needs assistance. I found that saying hello or good morning first gets me to the head of the line. I know we both have learned to enjoy the moment and have hopes for just today. If you need some counseling on getting older come down to my place. I have to tell you February never felt as good as it did this year in Florida. I have tried to not be too honest about where I am and what I'm doing on any given day because if I'm on the beach and say so I don't want anyone trapped in the tundra to jump off a roof rom depression. Enough of this Happy Birthday! I love you. Enjoy the day.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear YaYa, and happy birthday to you! I can tell you have a lot on your mind today as all 60+ people do when another birthday rolls around. Phil expressed all the things I was going to tell you and I can't write anything better. All I can offer is a reminder that life is cyclical. This summer when the kiddos are splashing in your pool and the warm breeze is rustling the pines, you'll forget all about tough weeks like this one. Life will be good again. I hope your weather, work conditions and other circumstances soon improve and your mental state along with them. Until then please know how much I care about you and wish you happiness.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend, dear YaYa!

Cindy said...

Happy Birthday!! I hope some more sunshine comes your way today -- you deserve it! Remember, you are a very young 61 (you even have a blog) and youth is not an age...it's a feeling! Best wishes for a happy year!

Hilary said...

Awww beautiful you.. young you in the pic, and right now you writing this post. Your the same lovely person with all those years of loving and living in between. May you have many, many more to come. Happy Birthday, dear Yaya!

Debby said...

Happy Birthday. Such a cute picture. I do think our Ohio weather is pulling us all down. I love winter and snow but even I am getting tired of it. With more predicted this week-end and the cold continuing it doesn't get better. Enjoy your birthday and do something that makes you smile......and don't watch the weather channel.

Julia said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Yaya. You were adorable then and although you are a little older, you are still a kid at heart. Like a good wine ( I know you don't drink) you get better with age.

Sorry you had such a bad day today at work especially on your birthday. I hope that you got some flowers and a call from your mom and family and that you got cake and ice cream.

Stiletto heels are over rated and I've never even tried a pair on, ever... I don't do self torture anymore, I love myself too much, lol.

Big hug and I hope that tomorrow will be a better day for you.
JB

acorn hollow said...

Happy Birthday There seems to be a lot on you mind.
Cathy

Nonnie said...

I never would have guessed if you hadn't told us. Happy happy birthday to you. I think your thoughts are what we all ponder as we move into another decade and see that there are more behind than before. I turn 65 this year. I cannot believe how close that now seems in relation to 70!! I cannot think about it too much except to enjoy each day I am given and be thankful for my health, my family, and the blessings I enjoy. Happy birthday!!!!!

Sweet Tea said...

Oh Guuurl, you are so right - we must enjoy all our moments. Happy Birthday!! I think warmer weather is gonna give us all an improved attitude WHEN IT COMES. I'm 64 and I laugh when I think about it 'cause it seems almost silly to think I'm that old. LOL. Enjoy your special day!!

Rosaria Williams said...

Birthdays can be so heavy! Treat yourself to a night out, to something you have never done before, and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Life is short; shorter than we know.

Laurie said...

Happy Birthday my dear friend! You share birthdays with one of my most favorite women in the world...Mama. I'm glad you took the day off....you deserve it and I hope it turned out to be as special as you are. I wish you many more.

Donna said...

Happy, happy birthday dear friend!!! You always go forward with grace, style, spunk and a big dose of humor which I borrow....thank you. Julia said it best. Big hugs, D.

MunirGhiasuddin said...

A very Happy Birthday to you. I hope that you had fun.

Each birthday that is a landmark somehow pulls us down. Again as the years pass we realize that we are lucky to be living and enjoying our grand kids. Our family and friends are happy that they have us.

As long as you stay fit and healthy, Birthdays are in themselves a happy sign. Even if some one is sick, ( like me), Birthdays are still a sign of triumph over sickness. I tell my children that I don't mind being old. It shows that I am living. I will be sixty four this year but I cannot wait until I am sixty five. I will hen have Medicare.

Happy Birthday once again.

If it makes you feel any better, I know bloggers who are in their eightys, ninetys and even a hundred year old. I think that we are lucky to have them in Bloggerhood.

We are certainly lucky to have YOU.

Willow said...

Aww a very moving post , had me thinking deeply indeed .
Happy Birthday my blog buddy , life is more fun with you in it.
I am going to believe 60 is the new 40 !
You go girl.

Christina said...

Happy Birthday,Kathy! That was an awesome post, very reflective. I really hope you guys get a break from the weather. I remember getting seasonal depression a lot up there. Anyway, again Happy Birthday, and super cute picture!

rjerdee said...

Happy 61, a very good year. You'll have a lovely time. I thought 61 was fabulous...it's all been fabulous until I began to understand that I was "too old" to be involved in the world of work (that I adored). After retirement, I searched for ways to replace what I loved doing...for some of us, it's not easy. I hope it will be easy for you...and am quite sure it will be! Happy Birthday, you cheerful girl! x0x0x0x