Today I turned 40. I guess I am officially "old", or at least midlife right? I guess that depends on how long I plan to live and I now know the answer to that is so unknown, it's best not to plan on anything past today. So, if for some reason I don't make it past today...well, it was the best day ever.
Why, you might ask was it the best day ever? Well, for one because I woke up, I breathed, I loved and celebrated life. What more could a newly 40 year old gal want. Today I got up like so many other days, I hit snooze a couple of times, I was sleepy mostly due to the fact that we have a new puppy who needs to go out periodically during the night and also because I don't sleep real great these days. I finally jumped out of bed, showered, fed the dogs, opened all the necessary items in the fridge...the yogurt for breakfast and the gatorade so Bert would have something to drink, kissed my husband and the kids goodbye and I was off. I had to be at work early today because we are in survey and I needed to make sure things were in perfect order. Outside in my front yard was a birthday flag and in the front seat of the Subaru Outback was a birthday sign...Fierce, Fabulous, and 40 Happy Birthday Mom it read, a birthday balloon was attached, this made my heart smile. I called my daughter who was giddy over my excitement for the birthday gestures. You made my day I said, this is going to be the "best day ever".
On my way to work in Lancaster PA, I cross over the Susquehanna River via the route 30 bridge, to my right I see the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. I say a prayer every day when I cross that bridge. I thank God for the beauty it holds, I have witnessed beautiful sunrises, blue skys, I can see the windmills on the country side, on rainy days the river displays calm ripples, in the winter it looks cold and serene, today it was dark and the bridge was lit up with it's lights, the shadows allowing the slightest hint of day light fighting through, it is a scene that brings to me a feeling of gratitude each morning as I start the day. I always follow that thank you with all that I am grateful for and then I ask for everyone with ALS to remain strong, comfortable, and I wish, wish, wish for a treatment or cure. Since last year I added that part to my prayer, and I pretty much wish that last part every chance I get. Today, like everyday and even before ALS I told God that I am thankful for my family and I asked that they be kept safe and happy.
In the past, I attempted to get through the day at work without mentioning my birthday. I was successful last year, and not one person knew. This year thanks to facebook it was hard to keep a secret as my sister had already posted some uuhmm flattering (hear the sarcasm) childhood pictures of me and wished me a happy birthday. The cat was out of the bag, but secretly I have to admit it was more fun to celebrate than to ignore it, and ignoring it wasn't going to change the fact that today I am probably mid way through this life. So far I have had a pretty amazing life.
The day was hectic at work, but I am thankful for my job and my co-workers who provide continues support as well as a continues assembly line of amazing food. I received well wishes from friends and family, my sweet little nieces and nephews made me videos that melted my heart. I was showered with flowers and yummy treats from my husband. A couple of cakes and cupcakes at work and at home. My children and husband had their picture taken together and it is absolutely beautiful, this was an amazing gift I will cherish forever. I am happy. I love my family, my husband and children motivate me to always find the positive. I am grateful for our extended family and friends. I have this day today, and while I do not like that ALS is present in our lives, I do not like that my husband is sick and has to suffer with this disease, I know that I am not in control; I only have the free will to control how I react, how I provide support to him, how we can work as a team, as a family to live everyday to it's fullest and to always find the positive even on the days when that is hard. Today, it was easy to find the positive...Bert, Sophia, Alex, they are my positives, my whole family, my friends, God. Beside those positives ALS you are nothing. My son may have said it best in his birthday card he made for me, Mom he wrote: your birthday is coming up, your turning 40, now you may not want to turn 40 but be happy because once that day is gone you can't have it back. From: Alex to: Jen and in a small heart he wrote me, Sophia and dad love you lots! No, once the day is gone you certainly cannot have it back, so live, love, pray, and make all your days the BEST DAYS EVER.
xoxo~Jennifer
Why, you might ask was it the best day ever? Well, for one because I woke up, I breathed, I loved and celebrated life. What more could a newly 40 year old gal want. Today I got up like so many other days, I hit snooze a couple of times, I was sleepy mostly due to the fact that we have a new puppy who needs to go out periodically during the night and also because I don't sleep real great these days. I finally jumped out of bed, showered, fed the dogs, opened all the necessary items in the fridge...the yogurt for breakfast and the gatorade so Bert would have something to drink, kissed my husband and the kids goodbye and I was off. I had to be at work early today because we are in survey and I needed to make sure things were in perfect order. Outside in my front yard was a birthday flag and in the front seat of the Subaru Outback was a birthday sign...Fierce, Fabulous, and 40 Happy Birthday Mom it read, a birthday balloon was attached, this made my heart smile. I called my daughter who was giddy over my excitement for the birthday gestures. You made my day I said, this is going to be the "best day ever".
On my way to work in Lancaster PA, I cross over the Susquehanna River via the route 30 bridge, to my right I see the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. I say a prayer every day when I cross that bridge. I thank God for the beauty it holds, I have witnessed beautiful sunrises, blue skys, I can see the windmills on the country side, on rainy days the river displays calm ripples, in the winter it looks cold and serene, today it was dark and the bridge was lit up with it's lights, the shadows allowing the slightest hint of day light fighting through, it is a scene that brings to me a feeling of gratitude each morning as I start the day. I always follow that thank you with all that I am grateful for and then I ask for everyone with ALS to remain strong, comfortable, and I wish, wish, wish for a treatment or cure. Since last year I added that part to my prayer, and I pretty much wish that last part every chance I get. Today, like everyday and even before ALS I told God that I am thankful for my family and I asked that they be kept safe and happy.
In the past, I attempted to get through the day at work without mentioning my birthday. I was successful last year, and not one person knew. This year thanks to facebook it was hard to keep a secret as my sister had already posted some uuhmm flattering (hear the sarcasm) childhood pictures of me and wished me a happy birthday. The cat was out of the bag, but secretly I have to admit it was more fun to celebrate than to ignore it, and ignoring it wasn't going to change the fact that today I am probably mid way through this life. So far I have had a pretty amazing life.
The day was hectic at work, but I am thankful for my job and my co-workers who provide continues support as well as a continues assembly line of amazing food. I received well wishes from friends and family, my sweet little nieces and nephews made me videos that melted my heart. I was showered with flowers and yummy treats from my husband. A couple of cakes and cupcakes at work and at home. My children and husband had their picture taken together and it is absolutely beautiful, this was an amazing gift I will cherish forever. I am happy. I love my family, my husband and children motivate me to always find the positive. I am grateful for our extended family and friends. I have this day today, and while I do not like that ALS is present in our lives, I do not like that my husband is sick and has to suffer with this disease, I know that I am not in control; I only have the free will to control how I react, how I provide support to him, how we can work as a team, as a family to live everyday to it's fullest and to always find the positive even on the days when that is hard. Today, it was easy to find the positive...Bert, Sophia, Alex, they are my positives, my whole family, my friends, God. Beside those positives ALS you are nothing. My son may have said it best in his birthday card he made for me, Mom he wrote: your birthday is coming up, your turning 40, now you may not want to turn 40 but be happy because once that day is gone you can't have it back. From: Alex to: Jen and in a small heart he wrote me, Sophia and dad love you lots! No, once the day is gone you certainly cannot have it back, so live, love, pray, and make all your days the BEST DAYS EVER.
xoxo~Jennifer
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