Birthday Blessings

I went to a breast cancer benefit with my aunt last year and Debora M. Coty, an author, spoke promoting her new book “Too stressed, to feel blessed, and other feminine fairy tales”. She then asked the room, “are you too stressed to feel blessed?”, and of course all of the women nodded yes, or mumbled something under their breath to the extent of, “I have before!” I think about that all the time, too stressed to feel blessed, man that’s true! Sometimes, well a lot of times, my stress overwhelms me, but today as I sit at my desk, and look out of my smudged floor to ceiling windows, I think about the many blessings I have, that I frequently forget to count.

(in no particular order)
I woke up to see the sun shining this morning
I am healthy
I have a family that loves and supports me
I have a job and am able to provide for myself

I have a man that loves me, and that I love dearly
God chose two of the best people in the world to be my parents
I have a partner for life on this earth, my sister
I have many friends
I have the ability to get an education, when so many women in the world do not
I know what it’s like to lose a loved one, but know for a fact I will see them again someday
I have been hurt and heartbroken, bounced back and now am able to recognize true love
I was born into this great country
God brought two children in my life that I love and adore, as if they were mine
I am another year older, which means I got to be on this earth for a little while longer!
I have the ability to love and be loved

On Sunday, my mom made a huge birthday dinner for me, and my entire family was there, even Travis’ side, my new family. I can’t say enough how much it meant to me that everyone came, I had no idea that the kids were going to be able to be there, or Travis’ mom Angie was coming, and I went to open the door for my Uncle Michael and Aunt Kim, I saw Travis’ dad Larry and stepmom Ann walking up the driveway! I was shocked, and just couldn’t believe they all came for my birthday! I am truly blessed.