Thank you all for yr well wishes.
Today is THE day.
While I’ve so often wished I could sleep on 23rd and awaken on 25th Feb, it was precious a friend who told me, “Let tomorrow have a chance – it’s 24 hrs that have never existed before. It’s a fresh day with new mercies. One moment at a time x “
While in some years I’ve coped by typically organizing some big event (a book launch, calligraphy exhibition etc) to distract from the heartache underneath it, I’m realizing there are new ways, gentler ways to have a birthday when it’s hard to, too— remembering it’s not a performance, not something I have to “live up to,” but just a day to grieve, moment by moment, and rewrite, one moment at a time, one birthday forward at a time.

Although I still find it interesting how nearly every birthday I get invited to speak somewhere… It’s not very sexy to say— but I hope this year will be a year of opportunities to heal, and go gently on myself.

Also interesting for someone out there I don’t know to choose a birthday to send hateful comments my way. Cliff just says, “Haters gonna hate.” 🤷🏻♀️

Grateful for family, for the little things that will make today, what it is. 💛
With my love language being quality time & gifts, and being so far apart from familiar friends, in a small town where we are that is well known for “not really having nice gifts” on sale, I’m learning a new language— the language of unexpected gratitude, of voice notes, of anticipation of a day we will meet again.
So grateful for a new friend who decorated her entire house for us over the weekend- it made me cry 🥹
Thank you friends. 💛
